Punch
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Wednesday, appealed to the Indigenous People of Biafra to reconsider the seven-day sit-at-home order in the South-East of Nigeria from November 5 to November 11.
It said the appeal became necessary to enable the Anambra State governorship election scheduled for November 6 to hold.
Ohanaeze stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, titled: ‘Ohanaeze pleads with IPOB for Anambra election’.
The apex Igbo body said that “It is important to note that Anambra State is the economic live wire of the South East with an impressive steady growth trajectory. For instance, Anambra State showcases the best rural road network and rural community development in the South East if not in entire Nigeria.
“Anambra is home to the greatest number of small, medium and large scale industries in the South East. Most recently, Anambra has added a cargo airport to its resource base. Above all, Onitsha is the largest market in West Africa. The implication of the above illustration is that Anambra State is the melting pot of Igbo traders and artisans.
“It stands to reason that Anambra is the big Iroko tree that provides a shade for most Igbos. Apart from the shade, it also hosts the numerous birds that perch on the branches. Therefore any harm to the Iroko tree will create untold disastrous chain reactions and catastrophe for the Igbo.”
While pleading with the IPOB to rescind the lockdown plan, Ohanaeze Ndigbo requested the Chairman, South-Governors Forum, and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi to convene an emergency meeting of Igbo stakeholders and the Youth Leaders for the purpose of addressing the legitimacy crisis in the South-East, especially as it relates to Anambra State election and the political solution for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
