The Anambra state command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), has said that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) cannot stop the forth coming governorship election in the state.
The state commissioner of police Mr Garba Umar, said this in Awka, the state capital while reacting to the call by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to boycott the Nov. 18 governorship election.
Recall that Mr. Kanu had warned that Biafrans and eligible voters in Anambra State would boycott the state gubernatorial election scheduled for November 18 if the Federal Government fails to hold referendum for the ‘Republic of Biafra’ before the election.
The IPOB leader made this statement at his father’s palace in Afara Ukwu Ibeku, Umuahia, Abia State, Southeast Nigeria on Wednesday, June 21.
Speaking further, Mr. Kanu stressed that people of Southeast and others under the Old Eastern Region would not participate in the 2019 general election if the government ignores the demand for referendum.
Addressing IPOB members Kanu said: “Nigerian government should build as many prisons as possible to jail all Biafrans because there is no going back and we are ready to go there (prisons) unless the federal government gives us Biafra.
“We are starting with Anambra come November this year. There will be no governorship election in Anambra State. In 2019, the whole of Biafra land will not vote for any President. There will be no Senator, there will be no House of Reps, there will be no House of Assembly and there will be no councillorship elections in Biafra land if they (federal government) fail to call for a referendum”, Kanu said.
Reacting to the call, Umar told journalists that he only heard about the said call for boycott of the election in the media, adding that IPOB had not claimed responsibility.
Umar, , who assumed office in the state on June 21, warned that the police would do whatever it takes, to ensure there is a peaceful election in the state.
In his words, “The election has been fixed by relevant federal government agency. Nobody can stop it. We have the capacity to provide a peaceful atmosphere in Anambra State for that election.
“I have not heard from IPOB that it would stop the election, apart from what was published in the media. But that is for the media.
“Nobody or group can issue such threat and succeed, because we have all it will take to subdue such threat. No group can do that. The people of the state have the right to have periodic elections to choose their leaders; nobody or group can stop them from exercising such right. We can’t allow it. It’s no done.
“We are fully on the ground and we can suppress such threats,” Umar added.
