February 25 Election: Vote massively for Peter Obi, resist Simon Ekpa's sit-at-home order - Ohanaeze to Igbos

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has urged Igbos in the South-East to vote massively for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party on February 25.

The group said this during an emergency meeting of its National Executive Committee (NEC) on Friday in Enugu.

The group also called on the people of the south-east to resist the sit-at-home order by self-styled separatist leader Simon Ekpa.

Spokesman for the apex Igbo sociocultural body, Alex Ogbonnia, revealed that the group decided to support Peter Obi because they believe it is the turn of the South-East to produce the next president of Nigeria.

He noted that the group found Peter Obi as a suitable candidate and frowned sternly at attempts to scare Igbos away from voting in the February 25 polls.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo express shock and doubt that a true Igbo would unconscionably embark on a disingenuous duplicitous adventure aimed at denigrating, disenfranchising and decimating his people.

“The most disturbing is that the unscrupulous sit at home and total lock down order by Ekpa falls within the Nigerian general election.

“Ohanaeze stands firmly on natural justice and equity to proclaim that it is the turn of the South East of Nigeria to produce a president for Nigeria and by the irrevocable forces of providence.

“The right-thinking Nigerians and the global community have embraced the virtues in Peter Obi as the most suitable, competent, visionary, inspiring and energetic presidential candidate for the forthcoming general election.

“It is therefore strange that at the very rare consensus and convergence of history, equity, public consciousness and expertise in Obi, an impetuous youth will engage in an unreflective drum-beat that draws his people to a macabre dance,” he said.

According to reports, Mr Ekpa, a self-acclaimed successor to the incarcerated leader of separatist group IPOB Nnamdi Kanu, has in recent weeks, organized campaigns against the conduct of the general elections in South-East. He also called for a compulsory sit-at-home during the polls.

However, Mr Ogbonnia described Mr Ekpa’s proclamation as anti-Igbo. He said the Finland-based agitators plan to lock down the South-East during election would jeopardise the region’s shot at Nigeria’s leadership.

“We are urging residents to disregard the rumoured order making the rounds by the Simon Ekpa,” and that “IPOB is only interested in the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

“The Autopilot ignores the necessary landing permit by his people and Ohanaeze therefore urges the residents in Igboland to ignore the sit at home in its entirety,” Mr Ogbonnia said.

BS