By Yusuf Boluwatife
Proscribed separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cancelled the one-week sit-at-home order it issued across the South-East.
IPOB explained that the order was called off after consultations with elders, traditional, and religious leaders from the region.
Speaking on Thursday, the group’s Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful, said in a statement that, “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional institutions/rulers and religious leaders, and after Sue consideration of the positive impacts of their engagements, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the Leadership of IPOB ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hereby and immediately call off the one-week sit-at-home earlier declared to commence tomorrow, November 5 to November 10, 2021.”
He went further to advise “Anambrarians” to participate fully in the forthcoming election by choosing a leader of their choice without being intimidated.
“The people of Anambra State should go out en masse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 2021 and accordingly, choose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.
“Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all,” he said.
Meanwhile, the candidates and political parties for the November 6 Anambra governorship election signed a peace accord at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka, on Thursday.
According to the Chairman of the Peace committee, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), who facilitated the process, the signing of the Peace Accord by the governorship candidates is “a way of way of reaffirming that they must conduct themselves in a professional and peaceful manner ahead of the Governorship election.”
The former head of state said the accord “is not a mere exercise but a Clarion call for stakeholders to commit themselves to a peaceful electoral process.”
The candidates who signed the peace accord were Mr Valentine Ozigbo of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Andy Uba, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Obiora Okonkwo, who is contesting under the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), among others.
