Party candidates for Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State, yesterday, spoke with one voice on the insecurity threatening the poll, and urged the Federal Government to urgently demilitarise the South-East zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and endless blood-letting between the security agencies and the youths.
Statesmen from the South-East, under the aegis of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, spoke in like manner.
They urged the Federal Government to immediately demilitarise the region and embrace dialogue with a view to resolving any security threat to the November 6, governorship election in Anambra.
De-proscribe IPOB And Release Nnamdi Kanu To Us – Igbo Monarchs, Religious Leaders To FG
The Candidates also tasked the Federal Government, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies on conduct of credible poll.
Pledging commitment to maintenance of peace, they urged the Federal Government to release immediately, the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and appealed to IPOB not to undertake actions that could hurt the election.
Last week, IPOB called on the government to release Nnamdi Kanu on or before November 4 or its members would begin a seven-day sitting at home as from November 5 in all parts of the South-East including Anambra in support of Kanu.
It is feared that the sit-at-home could harm the election via voters apathy. South-East monarchs and religious leaders, had, on Monday called for release of Kanu, dialogue and adoption of political solution to resolve the issue.
Responding to the developments, the candidates in a joint statement dated November 1 but released yesterday, called on the INEC, the Armed Forces, other security agencies and all stakeholders to discharge their mandates in accordance with law and in a fair and just manner.
Ohanaeze Urge Ndigbo To Invest More In The South-east
The seven-point statement was signed by Ben Etiaba, AA; Akachukwu Nwankpo, ADC; Andy Uba, APC; Charles Soludo, APGA; Onyejegbu Okwudili, APM; Val Ozigbo, PDP; Obinna Uzoh, SDP; Ifeanyi Ubah, YPP; and Obiora Okonkwo, ZLP.
It read in part: ”In response to the very grave concerns expressed, and appeal made, by The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops, and in appreciation of the general anxiety arising from recent and continuing violence, in the South East geo- political zone of Nigeria, and Anambra State in particular, we the undersigned candidates in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State commit to peaceful and violence-free conduct in the run-up to, during and after the election.
”We the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election commit unequivocally to non-violence and the maintenance of peace throughout the duration of the election and beyond. We urge all our supporters and other stakeholders to commit fully to these ideals and refrain from any act that may imperil the election.
”In order to eschew all acts that may torpedo the forthcoming election, we urge the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
IMPERSONATION: Some Criminals Use IPOB’s Name To Commit Crime – Umahi Reveals
”We urge the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South-East Zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and endless blood-letting between the security agencies and our youths.
”We assure our youths that we have heard your cries and that we feel your pain. We urge our youths to eschew violence and commit afresh to peace.
”Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.
“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Armed Forces, other security agencies and all stakeholders to discharge their mandates in accordance with law and in a fair and just manner.”
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.