Anambra youths under the aegis of Anambra Youth Conscience (AYC) have unanimously vowed to resist any attempt to rig the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state. They made the vow during a press briefing held at Queens Suite & Hotel, Awka, on Wednesday.

The youths, who gathered in their hundreds, said this has become imperative considering that the relative peace being enjoyed in the state could be broached if anything contrary to the wishes of the people is imposed on the citizenry. They sent warnings to “all agents of destabilisation within and outside the shores of the state to desist from any inglorious and fraudulent practices.” They further warned that agents of government like the Nigeria Police, the military, National Security & Civil Defence Corps, Anambra Vigilante Service, and particularly, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “must be forewarned to play according to the rules of engagement.”

In a chat with media men, the Convener of the group, Comr Israel Chukwubuikem, maintained that the youths of the state have enjoyed so far how the electioneering campaign has been going on without rancour and encouraged the various political parties fielding candidates for the November 18, 2017 governorship election to maintain to keep it up “in view of the fact that Anambra is the light of democratic progress in the South East region and the nation in general.”

He said: “We gathered here today for one sole purpose. And that is to tell the whole world that we abhor rigging in its entirety. We want the wishes of our people to prevail in the forthcoming elections. We do not want imposition orchestrated by agents of darkness. We will resist it.

“Every party must play by the rules to forestall disorder. Those who want to rely on the back door to get to power should refrain and get to work with their manifesto. We are serious about this because it is time to defend our state from disorder. Whatever unsavoury that happens will definitely rub off negatively on the youths; that is why we are doing this.”

On activities lined up by AYC towards the November 18 guber polls, Chukwubuikem said. “Aside today’s press conference, we will hold three rallies before the election proper. One is themed, ‘Sensitisation road walk’ to let the youths know that the only way to change their destinies is to go out and vote in the right candidate who would impact on their lives. The second will be a Peace rally to stress that election is not war but a friendly contest, while its third will be fair polls rally to stress that rigging must be avoided.”