IPOB does not have right to stop Anambra election – Obi of Onitsha

By Ighoavodha Alice

IPOB does not have right to stop Anambra election – Obi of Onitsha
The Chairman of Anambra State Traditional Ruler’s Council and the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, over its statement on ‘No referendum, No election’ in Anambra state, saying that no one has the
right to stop the slated November 18, gubernatorial election in Anambra state.
Achebe who said this when he hosted the State leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene on Wednesday urged Anambra people to come out on November 18
to cast their vote. According to him there wouldn’t be any form of intimidation, fear or harassment because the federal government
will make provisions for security on the Election Day.
In his words, “The election is for us not for the entire country. You cannot have a referendum in one part of the country without carrying
other parts of the country along and the government must support and sponsor it before it will be organized and not curving out some part of the country for the referendum. The
election must hold and nobody or group of persons will stop it. Nobody should come to the state to cause unnecessary tension”.
On the other hand, Igwe Anchebe who saw the need for a united and develop Igbo charged Igbo people in the diaspora to return home and
invest rather investing in another man’s territory.
His words, “Our people should come home to invest in industry, factory, build schools and hospitals that will be beneficial to our people. We need non partisan strong institution to
create good environment for development. I commend the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership both at the national and state level for their
efforts within six months to unite Ndigbo”
Thanking Igwe Achebe for his candid advice the state chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian
Okeke-Ogege said, “There is nothing we will do without you. If there is any case that is beyond us, we will consult you for advice and possible
resolution. Obi of Onitsha is bridge between the people and the government and his throne is
falling point for Ndigbo, Onitsha culture is a complete and standard that other Igbo land emulates”.
Stating further he said as quoted by the Sun newspaper, “Nobody who fought war will like to fight again. So we should be fighting war of sense and not physical war to being Ndigbo into the main stream in the country”.
In another development, it has been alleged that the IPOB spoke person, Mr Emma Powerful has issued a statement accusing Igwe Achebe of betraying Biafrans and its fight for an independent nation.