29/11/2023
World Press Conference this day, the 28th Nov, 2023, by the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Candidate, Senator Samuel Nnaemeka Anyanwu on the outcome of the 11th Nov, Governorship election in Imo State.
THE WAY FORWARD TOWARDS MAKING IMO STATE SAFE AGAIN
Gentlemen of the Press, this is another opportune time to address the members of the SamJones Governorship Campaign Organization, our teaming supporters across Imo state and indeed the Imo state in general on issues of the Pre-election, election day and Post-election of the 11th Nov, 2023.
I am saddened that you have waited anxiously for my reactions on the ill-fated election by Nov 11th 2023 and may consider this briefing rather late and less deserving. My sudden morose and taciturn is but a strategic introspection and recluse to be well equipped to inspire you for the better. It is no sign of disrespect, neglect or wanton desire to despise your priceless prayers, supports and goodwill to the SamJones Campaign Organization.
As one in tune with reality, objectivism and good conscience and more importantly, as a man who is ideologically situated in mind and disposition, I figured that you cannot be served half baked beans hence, the need for a thorough analysis of the entire situation so as to be able to forge a proper paradigm perspective and proffer the way forward. On the contrary, any ill-conceived perception or opinion in this direction is not only unfortunate but most regrettable.
Ladies and Gentlemen, you will agree with me that with your cooperative and supportive efforts, we ran the most robust and people oriented campaign ever witnessed in the political history of Imo state. Indeed, we set the pace and others followed.
We gratefully galvanized all the known segments of the populace, the party members, the workers, pensioners, artisans, inagas, students, market men, youth and women very eager to change the narratives of Imo politics. We toured all the nooks and crannies of the 27 Local Governments of the State to the admiration of all. We cannot thank you enough for this brazen show of love, support and encouragement.
Our preparedness to bequeath to Imo State a people-propelled leadership and safe administration in total departure to the “tigbuo zogbuo” exploitative and mass-killing regime presently witnessed in the State was unparalleled. Our dream of an ever lasting peace, progress and sanctity of lives and property in the State was torpedoed by the wicked deployment of known State operatives and the weaponization of State apparatus; including the forceful compromise of the notable financial institutions, all geared towards frustrating our individual and collective efforts to make a free, fair and credible election possible.
You will recall that as soon as the inter-play of all used negative democratic forces were displayed, I quickly addressed the press and rejected the possible outcome of the election of the 11th Nov, 2023, and called for its outright cancellation.
You are well aware that the election was marred with irregularities, intimidations, brutal force, and flagrant Shooting by men who ordinarily would have protected the people and ensured orderliness.
On the election day however, what we witnessed instead was officers of the state aiding and abating all manner of electoral malpractices, thuggery, ballot box snatching and massive thump printing of ballot papers, regrettably, the electoral umpire, INEC shamefully reneged on their promise to deploy the proper implementation of the guiding principle of a free, fair and credible electoral process.
It is shameful that some polling units where the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) recorded less number of accredited voters in the (IReV), far and overreaching votes were awarded in favor of the All Progressive Congress Party, APC. On the election day, the APC openly declared a fratricidal war against the ndi Imo.
What really happened on the 11th of Nov, 2023 was an open r**e of democracy; a broad day robbery of Imo peoples mandate, a coordinated plot to destabilize dislocate and disfigure a people already injured by the same cartel who has vowed not to give peace a chance in Imo State.
It is painful to observe that our Deputy Governorship Candidate, Dr. Jones Onyereri and myself would have been murdered during the election. We were only saved by God's grace. While my convoy was attacked and my 4 vehicles vandalized, Dr. Jones escaped death by whiskers as he was attacked in his home by armored personnel career and dangerously armed men. It is therefore unimaginable what ordinary citizens of the state went through in the hands of these state sponsored bandits.
Despite the physical attacks on our persons, I have been falsely accused of all manner of issues. You will recall that some members of our party falsely accused me of being a place holder to the APC Governor. Subsequently, they fine-tuned their blackmail to fake video circulation of my withdrawal from the race on the eve of the election when campaign was over as allegedly peddled by TVC. Recall also that TVC came out to debunk the fake videos as not originating from them. Finally, their false accusation became the collection of 2.5 billion naira and all other negative thoughts, fabrications and propaganda.
These are all desperate attempts to bring me and the Sam-Jones campaign organization down. However, one remarkable thing about this election was that, despite all odds Imo people genuinely came out to vote for our party, PDP after rejecting all financial inducements by desperate position seekers. It is indeed heartwarming that in our determination to enthrone a safer and better Imo anchored, on peace, unity and cooperation; Imo people gave listening ears, internalized our message of liberation and also joined in the movement to secure our dear state from the stranglehold of insecurity, bad governance and abuse of human right.
As committed PDP members and leaders, we have taken all this in our strides, just to keep our eyes on the ball. No amount of lies, blackmail, or blasphemy can deter us from delivering on our avowed promises to Imo People.
The Imolites have been injured. Our collective patrimony has been withered. Our cries and wounds know no bounds. I feel you your pains. My heart bleeds for the freedom of our people from the wicked governance of the State. The wicked must not go unpunished. Injury to one, is injury to all. It will be recalled that the insecurity today in the South East is exported from Imo State to other Eastern States through the use of Non State actors for the purpose of elections. We shall not relent in our pursuit for the liberation of our people, hence, the man dies in him who keeps silent in the face of tyranny.
Moving forward therefore, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as a peace loving party, cannot be involved in any form of violence whatsoever or lawlessness. Let me once more appeal to you to remain calm, law abiding and good party loyalists. Your unflinching support, wonderful encouragement and fervent prayers are as exceptional as they are phenomenal. We shall deploy all acceptable and all known legal machineries in motion to recover our stolen mandate.
To make Imo safe again is a task that must be won. Be rest assured that the Egyptians you see you today, you shall see them no more!
God bless the Peoples Democratic party, PDP.
God bless Imo State.
God bless Nigeria.
Thank You.
