Anambra election remains threatened owing to IPOB’s lockdown order of the South East
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) to reconsider its order to lockdown the South East for seven days.
IPOB had announced locking down the South East, including Anambra where elections will home on November 6. beginning from November 5 unless it’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu is released.
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Kanu is facing charges bordering on treasonable felony. IPOB wants the charges dropped, and their leader released. The federal government sees Kanu as its biggest enemy that must be humiliated. The two incongruity put the Anambra election in a limbo.
In a statement by Ohanseze National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, published in the Vanguard Newspaper, the apex Igbo socio-political group urged the Chairman, South-East Governors Forum and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, to convene an emergency meeting of Igbo stakeholders and Youth Leaders for the purpose of addressing the legitimacy crisis in the zone especially as it relates to Anambra State election and the political solution for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement reads: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide pleads with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to reconsider the 7 days’ Sit at Home order in the South-East of Nigeria from November 5 to November 11.
“This is to enable the governorship election for Anambra State scheduled for November 6 to hold.
“It is important to note that Anambra State is the economic live wire of the South East with an impressive steady growth trajectory.
“For instance, Anambra State showcases the best rural road network and rural community development in the South East if not in the entire Nigeria.
“Anambra is home to the greatest number of small, medium and large scale industries in the South East.
“Most recently, Anambra has added a cargo airport to its resource base.
“Above all, Onitsha is the largest market in West Africa. The implication of the above illustration is that Anambra State is the melting pot of Igbo traders and artisans.
“It stands to reason that Anambra is the big Iroko tree that provides a shade for most Igbos. Apart from the shade, it also hosts the numerous birds that perch on the branches.
“Therefore any harm to the Iroko tree will create untold disastrous chain reactions and catastrophe for the Igbo.
“While pleading with the IPOB to rescind the Lock Down plan, Ohanaeze Ndigbo requests the Chairman, South East Governors Forum and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi to convene an emergency meeting of Igbo stake holders and the Youth Leaders for the purpose of addressing the legitimacy crisis in the South East, especially as it relates to Anambra State election and the political solution for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the statement reads.