By John Okoh
Enugu
Ogechukwu Enwelum, the executive director of Divine Era Development and Social Rights Initiative, a civil society organization (CSO), has called on residents of Enugu State to ignore the sit-at-home directive of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on election days.
Enwelum made the appeal in Enugu during a road show by members of the group.
She said that the road show was carried out in conjunction with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to her, the event aimed at preparing the people for the elections.
She said that the road show became imperative following the misinformation in some quarters by the outlawed group.
According to her, the exercise was also aimed at lifting the spirit of residents of the state in readiness for the election adding that the three days road show which was happening in all the local government areas of the state simultaneously would discourage issues of vote buying and violence during the polls.
She said, “We are partnering with INEC in the conduct of this road show. We are preaching against election violence, vote buying and for people not to sit at home on the election day.
“The issue of IPOB hoodwinking people not to come and vote is not in our best interest. So we are appealing to residents of the state to come out and perform their civic duties. Our people should know that whether they vote or not election must hold in Nigeria,” she said.
“It will be unfortunate for some people to sit at home while others would decide their destinies. This election will go a long way to determine the direction of the country in the next four years. Therefore, we must participate in order to have a voice,” she said.
She urged the electorate not to be swayed by material gifts to sell their vote on election days, saying, “we are hearing things about selling of voter cards which is not good for us. This is not a transactional politics but an avenue to exercise your franchise”.