The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the state, Barr.

Edeoga said he was aware of plans by some political actors in the state to use violence and thuggery to influence the results of the elections as he addressed party leaders and supporters from Aninri and Awgu Local Government Areas.

However, he asserted that he thought the populace could thwart such plans if they banded together in fortitude.

Edeoga thanked Enugu voters for helping the Labour Party win the presidential, senate, and house of representatives elections on February 25 and urged them to do the same during the governorship elections to solidify the Labour Party's emergence as the state's new platform for freedom and quick development.

He said voting for the Labour Party was important because it will reinforce the massive support given to the Labour Party's presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the last elections and will serve as further proof that the votes cast in Enugu were no fluke, especially given that the election is currently being contested in court.

“You do not have to be afraid of these threats of violence." They are merely trying to make you afraid. They tried it during the last election but could not succeed.

“We must uphold the integrity of our communities by resisting the invasion by outsiders, whether they are called Ayes, Black Axes, or Black Thugs. Whatever they are called, this victory by democratic forces, for the Labour Party, should not be thwarted; it should not be frustrated.

“We have to guarantee that the right of individuals, women, men, and youths, to vote freely, without coercion, without disturbance, without humiliation, to vote who they choose, must be maintained.”

Continuing, the Labour Party governorship candidate said: “Enugu State is touted as a peaceful place. Any effort, whether clandestine or open, and any threat to disturb the peace of Enugu State should be resisted.

“I am enjoining, I am asking, I am calling out to all youths of Enugu State, all citizens of Enugu State, on the ongoing attempt by the PDP and their henchmen to rig the election that is coming on Saturday. The path to victory for the Labour Party is clear and incontestable, and it is an eloquent statement of the new direction in which Enugu State wants to go.

“But we are facing the danger of a reversal by people who have ruined Enugu State, misgoverned Enugu State, and shown a lack of empathy and lack of love for our people. So, please, do not allow our votes to be destroyed. "Vote at the polling units and stay to see that they are counted.”

He reminded the people of the state that the direction of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was for people to stay at their polling centers until results are counted and uploaded, and he urged them to resist any attempt by any electoral officer or agent to move away from polling stations or collation centers without announcing and uploading the results to the INEC portal.