By Chinedu Adonu

National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has warned against alleged plans by the All Progressive Congress, APC-led federal government to undermine democracy and the will of citizens by forcefully taking over Anambra State using security apparatus.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the National Public Relations Officer, PRO, of the group, Comrade Victor Ezenagu and made available to journalists in Enugu.

The group which rejected what it termed, “undemocratic and fraudulent electoral practices, called on the international communities to intervene to avoid further loss of lives and property in Anambra state.

The statement reads, “The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, following preliminary intelligence reports gathered through independent investigations on the Anambra elections, has revealed a calculated and deliberate attempt by the APC led federal government of Nigeria to undermine democracy and the will of the people of Anambra State using all means within their ambit including the use of various security apparatus to forcefully take over Anambra State.

“Obviously, Nigerians appreciate the extent of control the APC led federal government wields on INEC (a body presumed to be independent) and the security forces in the country at large. Nigerians might not have forgotten so soon how these supposed independent bodies aided the APC led FG towards capturing some states in previous elections. It therefore become easy to use these institutions to manipulate and upturn the will of the people of Anambra State.

“Consequently, it must be made clear that NANS in totality rejects undemocratic and electoral fraudulent practices, it is therefore imperative that we call on the international communities to beam her watch light very closely and monitor with diligence the November 6 gubernatorial election in the state to avoid further loss of lives and property in Anambra state.

“The ongoing pockets of security threats in the state can not be completely swept under the carpet as sources have revealed there are political undertones to the killings. We strongly caution political actors trying to instill fear in the minds of the people of Anambra State in order to desert the polling units on the election day for easy manipulation.

“The government must place premium value on lives and property of citizens and avoid all forms of forcefully installing any candidate on Anambrarians.

“NANS hereby call on citizens and residents of Anambra who are registered voters to defy all intimidation and tricks to swindle them of their right to vote whom they so wish to lead the state by trouping out en masse on Saturday November 6th, 2021 to elect their preferred candidates as NANS will also be on ground to observe the election.

“We call on the entire Nigerian students resident in Anambra State to Shawn every form of violence and political thuggery in the election process rather we should be assets to ensure that the will of the people prevails”.