The Imo State Labour Party, LP  governorship candidate in the November 11,  2023 election, Senator Athan Achonu on Saturday condemned the violent attack on the  President of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC  Comrade Joe Ajaero describing it as  an attack on the nation, Nigerian workers and indeed the Nigerian families and democracy. 


" He was here to lead peaceful protest over unpaid wages due to Imo State workers. He was beaten to stupor and allegedly abducted by security personnel. It is unimaginable that the leader of the Nigerian workers could be treated so. I vehemently condemn the attack on the President of the NLC. This will never happen again  In Imo soil. Not while I am Governor.  


"This is totally unacceptable and indeed very condemnable. Imolites are not known for this low level of intolerance and recklessness, hence every true citizen of Imo State especially workers, must condemn this act", he declared


 The LP flagbearer also declared that INEC must ensure that collation of results is  done manually and electronically, pointing out that Form EC8 is a legal document needed to satisfy compliance to the electoral process 


He added that his Campaigns Council is  officially putting INEC on notice about plans by  APC to compromise Polling Officers and Ad-Hoc Staff during the election in order  to influence it's outcome . "I urge INEC and security agents to be alert and checkmate these efforts at rigging the election and ensure that sensitive materials do not get into the wrong hands", he said during a press conference at his campaigns headquarters in Owerri . 


The LP guber candidate also  alleged that APC leaders are harvesting details of Voter Cards in some communities including Owerri West, Oguta, Okigwe, Ihitte Uboma LGAs, a development he described as  criminal and an attempt to subvert the will of the people


He also urged INEC to ensure that collation of results are  done at the official designated centres,  not LG Council headquarters and that  INEC should announce a public primary school as collation centre for Isiala Mbano and  every other locations where INEC  offices were burnt down.


"We will use all lawful means to resist any plan to collate results in any place other than officially designated locations at the ward level and at the local government level. And we call on INEC to, as a matter of urgency, publish the polling centres where elections will not hold. This should be in the public knowledge", he submitted


Responding to questions about elections not holding in six LGAs owing to insecurity, Achonu countered that he is confident that election would hold in every part of the State. "We do not entertain fears that fears over security would keep people away from the polling booths. Imolites are ready to take back their State. The off season election is only holding in three States and we are confident that there will be massive deployment of security person all over the State to assure people of their safety. President Bola Tinubu is a democrat, he has fought for restoration of democracy in this country and we are confident he would not do anything contrary to his hard earned reputation as a democrat", he said