By David Lawani and Cajetan Mmuta
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday said it has cancelled the one-week sit-at-home order reportedly declared in Anambra State.
The group, which had used force to enforce its earlier sit-at-home protests in the southeast, had declared the sit-at-home in Anambra to discourage residents from taking part in the November 6 governorship election in the state.
The sit-at-home, which had been condemned by political leaders in the region was meant to commence on November 5 (today) ahead of tomorrow’s election.
But IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement yesterday said the group did not call for the boycott of the election and has not asked anyone to impose the sit-at-home order on the said day.
The group said it has no business with any election and is only interested in the release of Nnamdi Kanu, its leader.
“IPOB wishes to correct some misconceptions, unfounded speculations, and outright falsehood concerning our position on the forthcoming November 6 governorship election in Anambra State.
“First of all, we wish to reiterate that IPOB did not at any time issue an order or call for the boycott of the said election contrary to misconceptions in certain quarters. IPOB has nothing to do with the Anambra election. Nobody should therefore link us with the election. The freedom of our Leader is what matters to us and we don’t need distractions.”
“The priority of IPOB is to secure the unconditional release of our leader, Nnamdi Kanu who has been illegally detained since his rendition to Nigeria. All we said was that if by November 4 those who abducted, renditioned, and illegally detained him fail to release him unconditionally, Biafrans shall embark on civil disobedience of a one-week sit-at-home beginning from November 5 to November 10.
“This action has nothing to do with the Anambra election. We are not concerned if anyone wishes to participate or not to participate in the Anambra election. But our only advice to Ndi Anambra especially those contemplating to vote is to be very careful about their security.
“We want to categorically state that IPOB has not asked anybody to monitor or enforce compliance to any sit-at-home as this is unnecessary because Biafrans willingly and consciously obey IPOB’s call for sit-at-home.
“Our people are all fed up with their suffering and oppressive conditions imposed upon us by the contraption called Nigeria and do not need any persuasion to do the needful.
“We also wish to dissociate IPOB from a viral voice note warning hotel owners in Anambra to shut down from November 4. The said voice note never emanated from IPOB. It’s another handiwork of our oppressors in their desperation to implicate IPOB. We, therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance such rubbish. IPOB under Nnamdi Kanu is not the author.
“We, therefore, warn that anybody caught trying to use the name of IPOB to foment trouble in Anambra State or any part of Biafra land will regret his or her actions. IPOB has never told anybody or group to boycott the Anambra election. We are only interested in the freedom of our leader Nnamdi Kanu.”
The group asked the public to disregard any information not issued by its approved channels of communication.
Meanwhile, an emergency joint meeting by groups under the aegis of Pro-Biafrans yesterday in Awka resolved that Saturday’s election would hold unhindered.
Members of the Pro-Biafrans groups, in a communiqué issued at the end of its meeting and endorsed by Law Mefor, Nwaada Anigbogu, P.N Okoro, Zulu Ofoelue, and others, noted, “The Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 6 must hold unhindered in the overall interest of Ndigbo and long term benefits of the Biafra struggle.
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“As Biafra agitation groups, the meeting further resolved never to lose sight of the ideals of the father of the Biafran nation, Dim Chukwuemeka Ojukwu. The central aim of the Biafra struggle and all other agitations in Nigeria for that matter is for the enthronement of an equitable and progressive nation or peaceful dissolution of the union where co-existence as one nation is impossible and unattainable.”
Eschew violence, accept election results, Abdulsalami tells candidates
Chairman of National Peace Committee, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), has appealed to candidates in the Anambra State governorship election to abide by the letter and spirit of the peace accord which they have all signed together.
Abdulsalami appealed during a ceremony held at the Prof Dora Akunyili Women Development Center in Awka where a peace accord was signed by the participating political parties in Saturday’s election.
However, only 17 out of the 18 chairmen and candidates of the registered political parties contesting for the exercise took part in the peace accord.
The former military head of state noted that the place of peace in any election could not be glossed over.
He told candidates that the peace accord was not just a mere exercise, but a clarion call on them to be committed to a peaceful election.
“We are all aware of the consistent history of political and electoral violence in Nigeria. Almost every election in Nigeria is accompanied by violence, ballot box snatching, vote-buying, outright disruption of the process, and in some cases, the intimidation of ordinary citizens who simply want to select a leader that will govern them.
“We, the members of the National Peace Committee, have come to Anambra to support a peaceful electoral process. We cherish Anambra and we cherish the peace and unity of Nigeria. Most importantly, we want to contribute our quota to see that the governorship election in Anambra is devoid of violence.
“This violence has gone beyond just the period of election. Every day we hear stories of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, and in most cases, outright criminality. This ugly trend continues to threaten the peace, security, and stability of our dear country. The question is when will all this stop? How can we work together to ensure peace and stability both during and after the election cycle?
“We call on candidates, their parties, and supporters to accept the outcome of the vote as long as it is adjudged to be free, fair, and credible. In the letter and spirit of the Accord, any aggrieved party should not resort to violence, but follow a judicial process.”
“Therefore, the signing of the Peace Accord today (Thursday) is not a mere exercise. It is a clarion call for all the candidates and the political parties to commit themselves to a peaceful process,” Abdulsalami said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said INEC has done all it should make the electoral process smooth.
He appealed for a violence-free poll, saying if the election is not violence-free, the entire electoral process will be undermined.
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The event, which was organised by National Peace Committee (NPC), was started by former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Bishop Mathew Kukah, to engender peace amongst politicians and their supporters. The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, was represented by Deputy Inspector General Joseph Egbunike.
Others are the Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Anambra, the leadership of all the political parties, and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC).
