TheCable

Stella Oduah, senator representing Anambra north, has said it is imperative for voters to turn up at the polls in next Saturday’s governorship election.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Oduah said if the people failed to vote, they would be giving room for a possible declaration of a state of emergency.

She said since the constitution does not allow for a vacuum in any state, an administrator would be appointed to lead the state if no governor is elected during the election.

“If we fail to cast our votes, if we fail to come out to vote and have a new governor, what will happen is that the federal government will provide an administrator and declare a state of emergency.

“That is not what we want. It means that democracy will elude us, who is governing us would not be who we voted for or who we desired.

“This is not about which party I belong to. It is about saving our state, it is about making sure that our youths, our women, our children have a peaceful and enabling environment where good governance and policies will strive.

“Therefore we must make sure that we come out on the 18th and vote.”

The lawmaker also urged political leaders in the state to call on their followers to come out and vote at the November 18 exercise.

The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had threatened Anambra voters with death if they vote at the election after which the Anambra state police command enjoying residents to ensure they exercise their franchise on the day of the election.

Giving more reasons why Anambra people must vote, Oduah said the state has enjoyed peace, stability and investments had started accruing.

She said: “What Anambra needs now more than anything is peace, we need peace for progress, we need peace for security, we need peace for the development that is coming and that has come.

“We do not need violence, we have had enough killings, thank God we have security in Anambra more than most states, we must ensure that is sustained.

“Most importantly our basic human right that is enshrined in the constitution that gives us the right to choose who governs us must not be denied us. We will be denying ourselves that if we fail to come out and vote and protect our votes.”