Anambra poll: Flashpoints identified, as Kukah Center inaugurates early warning/ response team for 21 LGAs

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By Madu Obi

Stakeholders appointed by the Kukah Center, Abuja, which is the secretariat of the General Abdulsalami Abubarkar - led National Peace Committee, has identified the black spots in various communities in the 21 local government areas of Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

The Early Warning, Early Response, EWER, stakeholders were appointed as agents of the Center during a training workshop in Awka.

Of the three senatorial zones, Anambra South remains the area with the highest threat to a peaceful election, with the discovery that the strategy adopted by non - state actors, proliferation of unlicensed guns, social media misinformation and likely infiltrators from the nearby Imo State, may disrupt the smooth conduct of the election in the area.

According to stakeholders from the zone, some communities, including Mbosi, Isekke, Orsumoghu, Lilu, might not participate in the election as they have remained deserted for a long time, despite efforts by security operatives to reclaim the area.

Orumba North and South, also part of Anambra South, for instance, have places that habour gunmen in their bushes, while Ekwulobia in Aguata is also known as a center for non- state actors, who often spread false information to frighten people.

In Anambra North, the early warning team noted that the issue of flooding in Anambra West, Anambra East, Ayamelum and Ogbaru, as well as cult activities in Oyi and herdsmen attack in some part of the Omambala area, are major threats to the election.

For Anambra Central, the zonal team observed that cult groups, which are rampant in Awka South, Idemili North and Awka North, may be used to disrupt the election.

Also identified as a likely problem that can affect the election is the rivalry between some traditional rulers and the Presidents General, PGs, in some communities and the problem has created division among the people along political lines. Among communities where such rivalry exists are Nri, Alor, Awka and Nawfia.

They urged leaders in the zone to find ways of solving the problem before the election, especially when the zone is positioning itself to take over the governorship in 2030 after the turn of the Southern senatorial zone.

These problems, the the three senatorial zones observed, may contribute significantly to low turnout of voters during the election.

An official of Kukah Center, Deborah Obafemi, said after the presentations that members of the Early Warning, Early Response, EWER, can transform the negative situations to positive before and during the election, going by the training they have received.

According to her, Anambra is one of the states with mobilized local structure for conflict resolution, advising them to apply traditional mechanisms to quell disputes at the grassroot level.

"EWER is not just about detecting conflict; it's also about collaborative act to prevent it. The success of the Anambra election and the peace it is expected to generate depends on how well the stakeholders collaborate" she said.

Also advising the stakeholders, the Project Officer at the Kukah Center, Asabe Ndahi said: "We have begun the task to ensure credible election. Be proactive and resilient as you return to your communities to begin the work."