The police in Anambra State says it has uncovered a plot to disrupt the November 18, 2017 governorship election in the area.

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was earlier quoted as saying that there would be no governorship election in Anambra State but he later reportedly retracted the threat.

Speaking on the alleged plot, Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, said in a statement issued in Awka on Tuesday: “Our attention has been drawn that some misguided elements have perfected plans to disrupt the relative peace through streets protests and to declare that the Anambra State Governorship Election Scheduled for November, 2017 will not hold.

“This is to achieve their selfish political aggrandizement thereby threatening democratic processes and causing serious security threats in Anambra State in particular and the country at large.

“This is unacceptable and would not be tolerated. In as much as the command and sister agencies respect the right of individuals to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, we would however not fold our arms and watch disgruntled elements truncate the peace in the state which the law enforcement agencies are working assiduously to maintain.”

The statement further reads: “It is to be noted that the governorship election has been scheduled for November, 2017 by the body responsible for elections in Nigeria and that is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); and it is the only competent authority that can make any pronouncement regarding the conduct of elections.

“We assure the people of Anambra State that the Election will hold as scheduled peacefully and successfully. We will not hesitate to deal decisively with any individual or groups under any guise that will disrupt public peace.”