Igbo elders under the auspices of Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, have urged sons and daughters of Igbo extraction to prepare to cast their vote, insisting that elections must hold in the South East.
The elders made this declaration at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday. Delivering a statement on behalf of the elders, Chief (Dr) Simon Okeke warned that any attempts to scuttle elections in the South East region would amount to crisis and would be dealt with, decisively.
Okeke, who is a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, encouraged Igbos in the region to come out en masse and vote for Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, adding that the 2023 election was the closest opportunity Igbos have had to produce a President.
“Since our independence in October 1960, this is the best chance of South East to produce a president. Both North, East and West have come to accept that our son Peter Obi is the best out of all the Presidential candidates canvassing for votes to win the presidential election on February 25 2023. Any Igbo thinking otherwise or standing on the fence may be of doubtful genealogy and needs to submit to DNA for proper proof of his or her true parentage,” he said.
He assured Igbos that security agencies are prepared and would ensure their safety.
Okeke further called on all agitators in the region to support Mr Obi, stating that their votes would speak more to their demands than bullets and sit-at-homes.
He said, “We request that you come out and be part of the history to vote in Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed to take the mantle of leadership and rebuild our badly divided country, to save the boat from sinking. We need your votes not bullets. In a democracy, your vote is your weapon, not bullet or sit-at-home.”
The elders therefore commended Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom for supporting Mr Obi while urging others to do so, as he is the best candidate among the lot.
