*Seek demilitarization of S/East
*Task INEC on credible poll, as Commission meets stakeholders today
By Ezeocha Nzeh
Barely three days to the November 6, governorship election in Anambra state, 10 governorship candidates in a united voice, urged the federal government to acceed to the request of the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and Bishops of Igbo extraction and release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The traditional rulers had in a joint statement last Sunday, demanded for the release of Kanu as a path to truce and dialogue that would reduce the violence and killings which heightened tension in the zone.
The traditional rulers had expressed deep concern at the growing insecurity and socio-economic disruption in the South-East zone, which it noted has deepened the hardships being faced by the citizens and rendered prostrate the socio-political and economic lives of the people, also admonished he president o de – proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The Traditional rulers in a joint statement signed by Igwe Charles Mkpuma Chairman, Ebonyi State Trad. Rulers Council &Chairman, South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Joseph N. Nwabeke, Chairman, Abia State Trad. Rulers Council. Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR Chairman, Anambra State Traditional. Rulers Council, Igwe Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu, OON Chairman, Enugu State Traditional. Rulers Council, Eze Dr. E. C. Okeke, Chairman, Imo State Traditional Rulers Council,
The South east religious leaders who also signed the joint statement included, Most Rev. Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop of Owerr, Most Rev. Dr Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, OON, Anglican Archbishop of Enugu, Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo R. Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia, Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev. Dr Uma A. Onwunta , Past Principal Clerk Presbyterian Church Nigeria, Bishop Obi Onubogu, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and Rev. Dr. Abraham Nwali, Chairman, CAN, South East Zone,
They urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion and development.
Joining in the request of the monarchs and religious leaders, the 10 governorship candidates in a joint statement issued Monday, described the demand as a passionate appeal aimed towards ending the violence and on-going killings in the zone.
The statement which was signed by Prof. Charles Soludo (APGA), Chief Ben Etiaba (AA), Dr. Obinna Uzoh (SDP), Chief Akachukwu Nwankpo (ADC), Chief Onyejegbu Okwudili (APM), Dr. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP), Dr. Valentine Ozigbo (PDP), Chief Andy Uba (APC), Chief Nnamdi Nnawuo (PRP), and Dr. Obiora Okonkwo (ZLP), also called on the federal government to begin the process of de-militarization of the South-East zone.
The governorship candidates called on their supporters to “remain calm and avoid any form of violence ahead of the November election”, and called on the members of IPOB to give peace a chance by withdrawing the sit–at–home order, and also avoid any act that would hinder the smooth conduct of the election.
The statement reads: “In response to the very grave concerns expressed, and appeal made, by The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the representatives of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops, and in appreciation of the general anxiety arising from recent and continuing violence, in the South-East geo- political zone of Nigeria, and Anambra State in particular.
“We the undersigned candidates in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State commit to peaceful and violence-free conduct in the run-up to, during and after the election.
“Be it resolved as follows that we the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election commit unequivocally to no-violence and the maintenance of peace throughout the duration of the election and beyond.
“We urge all our supporters and other stakeholders to commit fully to these ideals and refrain from any act that may imperil the election.
“In order to eschew all acts that may torpedo the forthcoming election, we urge the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
“We urge the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South-East zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.
“We assure our youths that we have heard your cries and that we feel your pains. We urge our youths to eschew violence and commit afresh to peace.
“Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State, and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.”
The candidates also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Armed Forces, other security agencies and all stakeholders to discharge their mandates in accordance with law and in a fair and just manner.
Meanwhile the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), will today hold a stakeholders meeting in Awka, ahead of the election which is billed for Saturday.
The Commission said it had concluded every arrangement and expressed its readiness for the election.
Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, upon his arrival Tuesday in Akwa, the capital of Anambra State, immediately went into consultation with the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Echeng E. Echeng.
He also met with other members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), Anambra State chapter, to discuss the security situation with regard to the governorship election taking place on Saturday 6th November, 2021.
Candidates and leaders of the contending political parties are expected to be at the stakeholders meeting, where they would be expected to once more sign a peace accord ahead of the November 6 election.
