Igbo youths have described the removal of campaign billboards of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the coming general election, Mr Peter Obi, and candidate of the party in Anambra Central Senatorial zone, Senator Victor Umeh from the state as an affront on the Igbo nation and gave the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo 48-hour ultimate to replace them.
The president-general and publicity secretary of apex-Igbo youth group, Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), Hon. Goodluck Ibem and Comrade Okey Nwaoru respectively in a joint statement described the removal of the duo’s campaign billboards as “unconstitutional” and that born out of envy of Peter Obi and Umeh’s shining and excellent political qualities and track records by Soludo.
The youths stated that Soludo’s action is “condemnable “ because they are aware that the campaign billboards “advert fees have been fully paid for by them (Peter Obi and Umeh)”.
The youth leaders said, “We have waited for some days hoping that Governor Soludo will come back to his senses and correct himself of such great dishonour against Ndigbo but he has not corrected himself.
“The illegal action by Soludo to remove campaign billboards of these noble candidates because they are not in his political party is unconstitutional and undemocratic to say the least.
“We are aware that why Soludo is after Obi and Umeh is because these two personalities represent integrity, sincerity and transparency which is in variant to what Soludo believes in.
“The actions of Governor Soludo clearly shows that he ventured into politics because of his selfish desire to corruptly enrich himself from taxes paid by Anambra people which is why he is disturbed anytime he sees the billboards of these men of integrity and transparency.
“We give Governor Soludo 48 hours to replace those billboards of Obi and Umeh which he illegal removed or face the wrath of the youths”, their statement read.
