By Uche Amunike
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has said that the November 6 Anambra election won’t hold if their leader, Nnamdi kanu is not released by the Buhari-led Government before November 4.
To this effect, the IPOB already declared a one week sit-at-home order spanning the South East states beginning November 5th, the eve of the governorship election in Anambra state.
Recall that the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu is presently facing trial on a 7 count amended charge that borders on treason and terrorism.
He has been blamed by the Federal government for the murder of Dr Chike Akunyili, the widower of the late former Director General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Late Prof Dora Akunyili.
The embattled Nnamdi Kanu was also accused by a 24-member Presidential Committee, comprising of members of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Information, the Department of State Services, the National Intelligence Agency, the Police Force and the Defence Intelligence Agency set up by President Muhammadu Buhari of being responsible for the murder of a former Presidential Aide, Ahmad Gulak and about 184 others in the South East.
The committee submitted that Nnamdi Kanu instigated IPOB members and the Eastern Security Network to massively attack democratic institutions and facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission to stall democratic process in Nigeria.
When he was arraigned on October 21, journalists were prevented from entering the court to cover the proceedings. However, the case was adjourned till November 10th for further hearing.
The IPOB released a statement on Saturday asking the Federal government to release their leader from custody before November 4, or else the Anambra election will not hold as they will impose a one week sit-at-home order across the South East which could disrupt the November 6th polls.
In the statement they said that they were aware of the adverse effects of the sit-at-home order on the people but however, they believe that such drastic measures was needed to achieve their purpose in the collective interest of their group.
The statement partly read, ‘We all saw how lawyers, journalists, Igbo delegates, respected traditional rulers and other people who came from all around the world to witness his court case were restricted and denied access into the court premises by security agents who kept them outside under the scorching sun.’
They strongly believed that the Federal government was merely trying to keep their leader perpetually in DSS custody in humiliation.
The spokesperson for the Socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, has however warned against anything that will be the reason why the Anambra election will not hold on November 6.
He advised everybody to be wise, mostly in issues concerning the IPOB, especially as leaders in Igbo land from all angles have united to ensure that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is freed.
He stated that the Anambra election was important because the state is the economic live wire of the Igbo race. He believes that Anambra maintains its economic growth which is why anything that will bring about a situation where the Anambra election won’t hold, should be avoided because it will not be in the interest of the Igbo people.
