….say there’re sinister motive to hijack Anambra electoral process
Civil Society Committee for Anti-Fraud Election Security, African Democratic Congress and the People’s Democratic Party, on Wednesday called on president Buhari to call or rather appeal to the Indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) to restrain the order of five days sit at home issued to the southeastern people especially Anambra state for a peaceful election.
The groups made this known by the convener, Comrade Kennedy Iyere, a social entrepreneur and founder of the “youth off the streets initiative” said the reason to to address the issues affecting Anambra guber poll was for peace to reign.
According to Iyere, “I created an intervention platform known as Civil Society Committee for Anti Fraud Election Security two weeks ago and established a situation room in Anambra because I foresaw ahead of that time that there are tactical plans in place for political gladiators to rig the polls and that will still not be good for our democracy which is still fragile”.
“We are here for one purpose and that is to address some critical threats which if not checkmated, will actually make the people’s choice difficult or will have no relevance in the election coming in less than ten days.
Among the existing threat as at now is the threat issued by IPOB, warning people to stay at home for five days before and after the election”.
He noted that the essence of the press briefing was to speak our minds to president Buhari and those who are in position to address this matter in a very sensitive way.
“We want to make appeal to the president to realize the need to listen to these people and not ignore them. He is the father of the nation and Southeast is part of the country.
The boys have issued a threat and as father of the nation we want to request in a humble way that you speak to them for a peaceful election. The situation room that we created, we have recieved alot of calls from different stakeholders especially from the civil society organisations”.
“We make a patriotic appeal to you, address this people, they dont deserve to be ignored, it is their right to agitate but it is your right as a father to calm them down, that’s what leadership is all about. I want to also make a passionate appeal to former President Abubakar, as there was an urgent need for you to reach out to president Buhari to solicit his cooperation to addressing the threat by IPOB and if this is not done then we will be convinced to believe that there is a hidden plan to impose a governor on the people against their choice, wish and will”.
“We appeal to Rev. Fr. Martin Sangoka, the Secretary to the National Peace Committee to reach out to the president, security advisers, security chiefs to pacify the boys. We want to say again that Anambra is not a war zone and I know the intention is to come in with armed forces with instruction to shoot and to kill, that will be absurd and babaric. That will not be the right way to build the nation”.
“It saddened my heart that two major political parties, the APC and APGA have not made appeal to IPOB boys and inform buhari to encourage these boys to rescind on the decision.
“I want to specially appeal to IPOB, Anambra is your home, you may have more haters than you never know, dont create a room for people who do not have your interest to destroy you. Five days of not doing buisness is not healthy, advising them that alot of people may not be able to feed their children becuase if they dont go out on daily basis to hawk sachet water and get paid they cant feed, think about them”. He charged.
Comr Iyere further noted that with the assurance of these two parties (PDP and APC) present here, we have a hope. “Who ever believes the results can be rigged is wasting his time. I also call on the European Union to make sure that whatever we send to you with facts you take it serious.
Also speaking, the National Chairman African Democratic Congress, Mr. Raph Nwosu expressed that “It is wrong for the APC government to label the IPOB as terrorists group, adding that double standard in nation building is both unjust and crippling and that is why the country is in the state that we are today.
“We have at different times advanced solutions to some of Nigeria critical problems but the APC govt refused to toll the line. Diversity management in leadership is critical. You should be just, show equity and invite everybody”.
“Where we found ourselves today is because of the leadership and political challenges in the country. The problem with finance, administration are caused by politicians occupying various federal and state positions”.
He posited that we must deal with clear standard, the protocol for doing things in nigeria should be the same, apparently why people didn’t come here is becuase of the unknown gunmen which has eaten deep into our activities.
“Our youths have any reason go find discontentment. That’s why Nnamdi Kalu and IPOB are agitating due to failures in governance among the political leaders, noting that it is totally wrong. While assuring that the Umunna governance evangelism of Akachukwu Nkwankpo will advance the cause of Ndi Anambra and Ndigbo”.
Therefore we want all of us to work together for a better result.
Also speaking, the running mate and deputy governor of PDP, Mrs. Azuka Enemo said she came here on his mandate to appeal to our children, our brothers, the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, especially and categorically on their no election stand.
“Your decisions is purely based on the emotions and the occurrences we share with you. The marginalization of the people of southeast, the lack of infrastructural development, the exclusive styles of governance, and therefore we all share in this emotions.
And we appeal to you to change your decision because letting it stand will deepen the catastrophe that has already been instilled in our land. It will also give room for a bad leadership or continuation.
Mr.nVal Ozigbo, the flag-bearer of PDP, has in many platforms identified with his drive of the IPOB, we have all it takes when given the opportunity to address these from the root causes.
Adding the voice, the vice president, National Union of Journalist, southeast zone, Sir Comr. Emma Ifesinachi eqaully urged president Buhari to show concern to the lamentations of the IPOB group for the safety of journalists during the exercise of duties.
