Apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has kicked against those threatening to stop Imo people from coming out to cast their votes in tomorrow’s election.
A statement issued by the president-general of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, disclosed that a group had issued a total sit at home order from November 9, to November 12, 2023.
He said, “If Imo people should comply with this, there will be no election in Imo State and that will create chaos.
„I am therefore with every sense of responsibility and love appealing to the leader of this group to rescind his decision to order a sit at home. I have found it very necessary to sound this notice and warning because we in Igboland have had enough of bloodshed.
„We fought a civil war which took the lives of millions of our people and also incalculable losses in property. We do not want a situation whereby any part of Igboland will be exposed to any type of destructive violence. I had earlier made my point on this issue very clear. As a father, I prefer a peaceful resolution of all problems. I prefer a non-kinetic approach. It is my belief that all disputes are best resolved over a round table dialogue. Bloodshed and destruction of our property cannot be a solution.
„Furthermore, a very false news is currently being circulated in the social media alleging that President Tinubu accused the Governor of Imo State Hope Uzodinma of persuading him not to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from incarceration.
“As the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, I have investigated this matter and found it to be false and malicious in its entirety. Governor Hope Uzodinma never held such a meeting with President Tinubu.
“To the contrary I have held discussions with Governor Hope Uzodinma and the other four governors of the South East, namely: Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Oti, Dr. Peter Mbah and Francis Nwifuru and they all are firmly and irrevocably committed to the release of Nnamdi Kalu from incarceration.
„I once more appeal to all those concerned to consider it a patriotic duty to rescind the call for a total sit at home and also the directive for instant murder of people who violate the sit-at-home-order. The information reaching Ohanaeze Ndigbo is that a directive has been issued for some homes to be destroyed. I want to believe that this is an ordinary rumour because it is not in our character,” he said.
