The Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide youth wing has called on Imo people to ignore the sit-at-home directive and come out to vote on Saturday and warned Simon Ekpa to desist from what they described as incitement.
This is even as they condemned the brutalisation of the national president of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, and appealed that they should sheath their swords.
The acting national leader of the Ohanaeze youth wing, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, made the disclosure while addressing newsmen in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
The group warned Ekpa in strong terms to desist from incitement and barbaric utterances that has contributed to the security challenges in Igboland.
On the attack on Ajaero, the group said “We humbly appeal to NLC, to reconsider the threat for a National action starting from 14th November 2023, and to sheath their sword as the innocent Nigerians are at the receiving end.
“However Justified and Lawful this action might be, we are very much concerned about the adverse effect on our fragile society and the unhealthy economy.”
Okpalaezeukwu called on President Tinubu to address the call for more ministerial appointments, South-East Development Commission bill, and the 3Rs on which the civil war was resolved, saying they will resolve the issues of agitation and unrest within the zone.
The text read “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should give ears and empathy to the numerous injustices meted against the South East ranging from ministerial appointments, Southeast Development Commission Bill, and the 3Rs on which the civil war was resolved. These considerations shall dive deep into resolving the issues of both agitation and unrest in SouthEast Nigeria.”
On the Saturday polls, the Ohanaeze Youths called on all recruited adhoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) especially the collation and returning Officers, who are the field soldiers to conduct themselves properly, even as they commended the National Chairman, Prof Mahmoud; the Inspector General of Police and heads of all security agencies “for the level of preparedness and resilience for a peaceful, credible and successful election in Imo state come Saturday 11th November 2023. However, we commend the government of Imo state for the level playing ground provided for all Candidates, irrespective of party, during the campaign period; and that this singular act contributed immensely to the rancor and violence free campaign across the State. Jide nu ka unu ji”.
They commended the Ohanaeze worldwide National President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on the restoration of peace, stability and economic visibility in the South East, especially the adoption of non-kinetic approaches to address insecurity.
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