Ethnic groups demand shift in Anambra poll date, dialogue on Kanu’s release

• Ohanaeze Ndigbo asks IPOB to shelve planned sit-at-home
• ADC unveils ‘Umunna Revolution’, urges FG to release Kanu

The Coalition of All Ethnic Groups of Nigeria (CAEGON) has called for a shift in the November 6, 2021 governorship election date in Anambra State by about one month.

Deputy President of CAEGON and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing (Worldwide), Chief Arthur Obiora, who made the call in Awka, the state capital, yesterday, lamented that most of the ad-hoc members of staff were allegedly resigning over pervading fear arising from threat by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that there would be sit-at-home from November 5 to 11, 2021.

According to him, the general atmosphere of insecurity is such that will make voters to shun coming out to vote. He said there was need for the Igbo leaders, elders and members of the National Assembly to meet President Muhammadu Buhari on the need to shift the election and dialogue for release of leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu and other youths who are victims of unlawful arrest.

SIMILARLY, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has asked the IPOB to shelve its planned one-week sit-at- home order in the region to enable the Anambra State governorship election to hold.

In a statement, yesterday, Ohanaeze Ndigbo pleaded that the action be shelved in view of the economic importance of the state to Ndigbo, stressing that it could hurt the entire economy of the zone if the election was not held.

It also lamented that the burial ceremony for the Afara Ukwu born Mrs. Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, slated for November 5 in Umuahia, Abia State, may be drastically affected by the prevailing Igbo social climate.

ALSO, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dr. Akachukwu Nwankpo, has urged the Federal Government to allow Anambra to hold its election by releasing Kanu.

Nwankpo made the plea in Awka, yesterday, at the unveiling of the ‘Umunna Revolution’, an Igbo home-grown democratic model, which he said he would implement if elected as governor.

Speaking through his Director Media and Strategy, Dr. Harris Chuma-Odili, Nwankpo said the Biafran activist could be released on bail while his trial continues.