Anambra election: Ohanaeze urge residents to “please come out and vote”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has urged Anambra State residents to come out and vote at the Saturday’s governorship election.

The group applauded the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) on its decision to cancel the one-week sit-at-home order earlier scheduled to commence November 5, 2021 and urged the residents not to see the presence of security agents as a source of fear but as an encouragement.

Ohanaeze President General, Professor George Obiozor, said this in a statement made available to The Punch’s correspondent in Ekwulobia on Friday.

The statement titled, “Anambra Election: Please come out and vote”, read in part “Ohanaeze applauds the decision of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to cancel the one-week sit-at-home order earlier scheduled to commence Friday, November 5, 2021.

“The statement by Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, that they have heeded the advice of the well-meaning Igbos is a welcome development.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo had earlier pleaded with IPOB to reconsider its position on Sit at Home syndrome in the South East of Nigeria, reiterating that self-immolation is the worst form of rights’ struggle.

Read also: Biafra: End sit-at-home now – Ohanaeze warns IPOB

“Ohanaeze maintains that IPOB is a child of circumstance occasioned by orchestrated national political decisions; and to this end, it requires a political solution which the leadership of the South East are committed to.

“Ohanaeze urges all the Anambra indigenes to come out and exercise their franchise in the November 6 governorship election. The presence of security operatives in thousands should not be a source of fear and trepidation rather a confidence-building dynamic by the federal government to guarantee adequate security of lives and property in the State.”

He added, “the federal security operatives should synergize with the traditional rulers, town union presidents, and local community vigilante for effective coordination of the voting process.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo informs the Chairman, Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) that a credible election in Anambra State on November 6, will redound to the reputation of President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria in the comity of nations.

“Finally, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide maintains its non-partisanship and neutrality in the Anambra State governorship election; all the candidates are our illustrious sons. May the Best Candidate win.”