On Friday, the IGBO Elders Consultative Forum (IECF), popularly known as Ime-obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, declared their support for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, whom they described as a “genuine unifier.”
They also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to free the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in the interests of peace in the country, particularly in the South East area.
Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the Forum’s chairman and former Anambra governor, told media in Abuja that an Obi president in 2023 will put an end to separatist agitations by various factions in the country.
2023: We Forced Obi To Abando PDP – Igbo Elders
Ezeife said: “We, before now agreed in the Southern and Middle Belt Forum to call all the candidates from the south east, interview them and adopt one person. But that has been overtaken by events. If you look at the candidates from A to Z, you find out that there is one from the south east who is everybody’s candidate.
“He is the true unifier in Nigeria because he is someone who will banish poverty, insecurity, and all the negatives associated with Nigeria. That person is Peter Obi and he is the person whom all of us will support.”
According to him, it was the South East elders that persuaded the Labour Party Presidential candidate to abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in May.
“If you look at the records, you’ll find out that the elders in Abuja really worked hard to get him out as a candidate. We forced him to get out of the PDP so that he can be a candidate for president. So the question of even adopting him doesn’t arise as he is our trusted, God anointed candidate to remake and recreate Nigeria. He will make everybody happy.
Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial: Igbo Elders Demand For Public Trial of IPOB Leader
“Obi will make Fulani belong to Nigeria and have a say. He will ensure Yoruba don’t want to go and will also make Igbo and all groups stay in Nigeria and have the country restructured to work,” he stated.
Ezeife cautioned that the anticipated 2023 general elections would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability, and corporate life.
“Hence, we appeal to all candidates, other political gladiators and their supporters to observe the rule of the game in their electioneering campaigns.
The Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, should respond to the task of creating a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, as stipulated in the 2022 Electoral Act and the 1999 Federal Republic of Nigeria Constitution.
“INEC should resist the alleged pressure by inordinate and unscrupulous politicians to compromise the provisions of the extant electoral laws and conduct free, fair and credible elections in 2023 for the stability and corporate existence of Nigeria.”
IPOB Slams Northern Elders, Others For Opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Concerning Kanu, the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum expressed unhappiness with the Federal Government’s decision to challenge the court of appeals ruling that acquitted the IPOB leader.
The Igbo elders cautioned that the government’s decision would have far-reaching ramifications for the country’s peace and security.
They added: “The Federal Government appeal against the Court of Appeal three-man unanimous judgement, which discharged Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is capable of aggravating the security challenges and peace process initiatives in the South East, preventing the conduct of 2023 general elections in the zone, as well as its ripple effects on the peace, unity, stability and continued corporate existence of Nigeria.
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.