By CHARLES IWUOHA

Some youths on Tuesday protested against election rigging, violence, political thuggery, and other forms of irregularities ahead the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.

The protesters, under the umbrella of Youth Advocate For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network (YAPJEN), also urged youths in the state to resist all forms all forms of electoral violence.

They also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain non-partisan and impartial in the exercise.

Addressing reporters in Awka, National President of the group, Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu, said the protest followed threat by one of the political parties to rig the forthcoming poll in favour of its candidate.

He said: “Our message is very clear. We’re saying no to election rigging, violence, political thuggery, and other forms of irregularities in the process.

“We’re calling on Anambra youths to stay away from any form of electoral violence. We call on INEC to remain non-partisan and impartial in the exercise.

“We also urge the security agencies to ensure that their loyalty is not to any political party in power.

“We heard that a certain governor had threatened that his party will take over the state. Our message to them is that his state is not Anambra and Anambra is not his state. We also read in a news report about plans to redeploy the INEC resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra State to pave way for the master riggers to bring in someone who is loyal to them and manipulate the forthcoming polls, Anambra youths will not be cowed nor used in any way to achieve their evil motive, the will of the people shall prevail in the state.”