Much may not have been heard of the March 28 National Assembly election in Anambra State as Igbo socio-political group, Ndigbo Unity Forum has described the election as free, fair and credible even as lawyers have notified the Senator elect of their readiness to give her free legal services.
The
President of Ndigbo Unity Forum, Chief Augustine Chukwudum described
the election that produced Mrs. Uche Ekwunife as Senator elect for
Anambra central senatorial zone as the freest of all elections ever
conducted since Nigeria’s return to democracy.
He
said 'We are not surprised that the election was free, fair and
credible especially as the Independent National Electoral Commission,
INEC did well in the conduct of Presidential election which saw
Nigeria’s first incumbent President to lose an election, we expected
same here in Anambra and it came to pass”'As
an independent observe accredited by INEC, our group monitored the
election and observed that it was free and fair and the outcome was the
true reflection of the wishes of the electorate who were given chance to
exercise their franchise and chose who they think would give them
quality representation at the various levels at National Assembly,' he
said.
Mr.
Chukwudum further called on those that contested the election with
Ekwunife and lost to emulate Mr. President by accepting defeat, adding
that such show of sportsmanship would further contribute to rapid growth
of democracy in Nigeria and Africa at large.
In
a related development, team of lawyers has notified the senator elect
for Anambra central zone, Mrs. Ekwunife of their readiness to defend her
at the tribunal as a result of post election petitions.
The
lawyers led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN (name withheld) while
paying courtesy call on Mrs. Ekwunife expressed their readiness to
defend the mandate the people of the zone willingly gave to her on the
28th March National Assembly election.
They
disclosed that their decision to protect the mandate of the people
given to the senator elect was informed by the testaments from both
local and foreign observes concerning the election which they said was
relatively peaceful, free, faire and credible.
The
lawyers vowed to resist any plans by the state government or its agents
to thwart the outcome of the election at all levels and urged the State
Governor, Willie Obiano not to take his political battle personal with
Mrs. Uche Ekwunife and his predecessor, Mr. Peter Obi but see himself as
the leader of all Ndi Anambra.