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Igbo are good neighbours, says Peterside

All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State Dr. Dakuku Peterside has hailed the Igbo in the state for their industry and good neigbourliness.

He spoke when he visited Eze Adiele Maduagwu, Eze Ndigbo Rivers and Bayelsa states at his palace in Port Harcourt.

The APC candidate was accompanied by his running mate, Asita Honourable; chairman of APC, Chief Davies Ibiam Ikanya; members of Greater Together Campaign Organisation and party supporters.

Peterside told the monarch that he was in his palace to brief him on his political journey and to pay respect to the Igbo, their culture and tradition. He praised the Igbo entrepreneurial spirit, describing them as good neighbours and supporters of Rivers State’s economy.

“The Igbo and Rivers people have peacefully cohabited from time immemorial. All of us were once part of what used to be called Eastern Nigeria. If the Rivers man has any true brother, it is the Igbo. Even today, some persons want to rewrite history. Beyond that, even before the Civil War, our parents told us that the Igbo have always been the pillar that holds Rivers State’s economy. Without the Igbo, our economy will not flourish and anybody who wants to turn truth upside down will not succeed.

“After the Nigerian Civil War, when our fathers were trying to rebuild the state and rebuild our economy, the Igbo were also on hand to help rebuild our state and our economy. So they are an important part of our society, nobody can deny that fact. If anybody is trying to deny that fact, then the person is being very uncharitable, unkind and I know God does not like injustice, God does not like lies.

“If before, those who helped to build the economy were neglected, we can’t afford to neglect them today because if we do, they will go elsewhere and help other people build their economy and our own will go down. I don’t think that is what we want. And so, we must respect those who live with us, those who contribute to our economy, those who render service, those who pay tax here and those who add value to our society. I am proud to say that the Igbo add value to what we are doing in Rivers State, the Igbo contribute to the building of our economy and the Igbo man has been a good brother and a good neighbour.”

Peterside called on the Igbo to be guided properly by realities as they vote in this month’s elections.

“As we march into these elections, there are many candidates running for the office of the governor but the Igbo know which one will be good for them and the one that will not be good for them. They don’t need soap to wash their eyes well to know.

“They can see, especially if you look at our antecedents. I was Commissioner for Works in Rivers State, I was special assistant to the governor in Rivers State, I am a member of the National Assembly, I was a local government chairman. People who know my path can say that I respect elders, I respect traditional institution, I have integrity, I respect laws, I fear God. They know that about me. I wish they can say the same about others who are contesting with me.

“For others, you know them. You know that if you give them opportunity, they will intimidate and harass people, they will promote hatred and violence. Your Highness, I don’t think that is what you want and I don’t think that is what the Igbo want.”

Eze Maduagwu described Peterside as a humble and God-fearing candidate.

February 2, 2015
Day Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, others united for Buhari in Ondo

A huge crowd of supporters welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his campaign team to Akure, the Ondo State capital. DAMISI OJO and LEKE AKEREDOLU report.

In the History of Ondo State, January 24,2015 would remain indelible in the minds of many people.

That day, racial discrimination was totally put on hold as Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and other tribes welcomed the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, and his running mate, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, (SAN), to Akure, the state capital.

In the annals of political campaigns and rallies in Ondo State,it was a special day as the 5000 capacity crowd Democracy Park could not contain the surging crowd.

Many hanged on the veranda of adjoining buildings to catch a glimpse on the former Head of State.

In spite of the late arrival of the visitors,anxious party members and supporters waited patiently till around 4.30 pm when the campaign train hit the Democracy park like the biblical triumphant entry.

Security operatives had a hectic time in controlling the crowd. People were shouting ‘sai Buhari’, waving their brooms and dancing to the tunes of Saidi Osupa and his band boys.

The crowd defied the scorching sun food and drink vendors made brisk business.

Before the arrival of Gen Buhari and his entourage from Ado-Ekiti, the APC National Leader and former Lagos State Governor had arrived earlier to cheer up the excited crowd who had waited anxiously for more than eight hours.

They later came in a long convoy Gen Muhammadu Buhari,Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, National Chairman, Chief John Odigie Oyegun and other party leaders.

The APC leaders flayed the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and urged Nigerians to vote out the party, which they said, represents corruption and maladministration in the February general elections.

They noted that the PDP government has brought untold hardship to Nigerians and assured that the APC would bring about change.

Tinubu who addressed the APC supporters at the Democracy Park, Akure said the party presented Buhari as its candidate to fight corruption, stressing that the former Head of State is not too old to rule the country as being insinuated by the PDP.

Tinubu mentioned some prominent world leaders, including the late Dr Nelson Mandela, former President of South-Africa who ruled their countries in their old age. He said age has nothing to do with efficiency and leadership.

The APC National Leader recalled that former Ondo State Governor, Adekunle Ajasin ruled at over 70 years. He said the legacies of his administration are reference points for successive administrations.

He said: “Leaders who ruled their countries and liberated them ruled at old age. nelson Mandela ruled South Africa at over 70 years. The man who liberated the United States of America ruled the country at over 70 years, so, if we are presenting Buhari, a 72 year old man to liberate us in Nigeria, it is not a sin.”

Tinubu who described the APC campaign as “common sense revolution”, described Buhari as a brilliant, intelligent, brave and honest person, who has solution to the problems confronting the country.

He challenged President Goodluck Jonathan to present his score card for the last six years. He asked him to show the refinery he promised to build in Ondo state when he was canvassing for votes four years ago.

The former governor maintained that Nigeria needed a courageous man like Buhari to conquer terror, adding that the current administration has failed woefully in all sectors of the economy.

Buhari said that the PDP has killed the economy through corruption and maladministration, adding that his government will restore the hope of the masses.

The former Head of State promised he would end corruption and revive the economy. He promised to create jobs through farming and mining.

The National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Oyegun, and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State urged Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) and vote out the PDP.

Aregbesola noted that Ondo State had been delivered from the captives of the oppressed with their support for the APC.

Dignitaries at the event include former governors of Ekiti, Adeniyi Adebayo, Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi, Chief Pius Akinyelure, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose (nee Ajasin), Abike Dabiri, Victor Olabimtan, Senator Olorunmbe Mamora, Rotimi Akeredolu SAN, Oyewole Fasawe, Sola Iji, Niran Sule and Bola Ilori.

Others include Isaac Kekemeke Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Ifedayo Abegunde, Ganny Dauda, Henry Bello, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Dr. Paul Akintelure, Adegboyega Adedipe, Ade Adetimehin,

Others are Eni Omosule, Tayo Alasoadura, Benson Enikuomehin, Lebi Morayo, Gboyega Adedipe, Tunde Imolehin, Abayomi Adesanya, Charles Titiloye, Erelu Modupe Johnson- Akindele and Mrs Funmilayo Olaseinde-Vincet.

Highlight of the rally was the defection of some PDP and Labour Party member (LP) to APC.

Among them were Femi Agagu, former Chief of Staff to the former Governor Olusegun Agagu, and former Speakers of the Assembly, Hon, Victor Olabimtan and Taofik Abdusalam.

January 30, 2015
Buhari promises Igbo youths one million jobs

The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari, has promised to create one million jobs for Igbo youths by revamping coal deposits in Enugu State for the generation of electricity and for export.

He spoke at the weekend at the Enugu West APC zonal rally at Orie Awgu Market in Awgu Local Government.

The presidential hopeful, who was represented by the state Chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Committee, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, said coal would be revamped to generate electricity to serve the Southeast and boost its economy.

He promised to award the contract immediately he was sworn in, to avoid the mistakes of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which squandered the over N2 billion voted for 3D Seismic Study for coal to power project, between 2012 and last year.

Gen. Buhari said: “We are banking on huge coal deposits at Amasiodo, Inyi and Leje axes of Enugu coal belt. We will award contract for the mining and construction of coal-fired-power-plant.

“We believe coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in Enugu State and Enugu coal is one of the most qualitative coal brands in the world, which means while some are used to generate electricity, some will be exported.

My objective is to create one million jobs directly and indirectly, from the coal project, as ancillary projects will follow.

“I want to emulate the Taichung Coal-Fired-Power-Plant in Taiwan, the largest coal power station in the world. Coal supplies 46 per cent electricity in the United States and over 60 per cent electricity in China. It is callous to abandon such a golden treasury.”

The Vice Chairman, APC Enugu East, Anike Nwoga, said he hoped that Gen. Buhari would win the election.

He urged those who attended the rally to be part of the victory party by voting for him.

Said he: “Many of you are Catholics. Did you hear what Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka said? Every patriot must vote for APC. If you go to the North, people in the region are supporting him. People in the Southwest are also poised to vote for Gen. Buhari.”

At the campaign, three senatorial candidates from other parties endorsed the APC standard-bearer as their candidate.

They are Chukwu Ijeoma of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mabel Onwukwe of the Labour Party (LP) and Nwabuike Oliver of the Advanced Congress of Democrats.

Others at the rally were the Chairman, APC Enugu West, A.C. Ude, Director General of Buhari Campaign Organisation in Enugu State, Ejike Eze and the APC senatorial candidate in Enugu West, Luoisa Achieze.

January 26, 2015
Igbo in Ogun allege marginalisation

Ahead of next month’s election, the Igbo community in Ogun State has alleged that its people were marginalised in the running of the state, threatening to vote only for politicians who would improve their welfare

The group alleged that Igbo people were being excluded in the politics, and other important sectors of governance in Ogun State despite their huge contribution to the economic development of the state.

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ogun State, Ogbuefi Austine Nkeze, who stated this during a media briefing

in Ifo local Government Area of the state, noted that they had been living in harmony with their host communities.

He said: “It is indisputable that Ndigbo constitute over thirty per cent of the state population. Our contribution and participation in the political, economic and social engineering of the state is well known to the whole world.

“ but we have been continuously marginalized in the scheme of things in Ogun state. We are just remembered a few days to general elections, when some politicians would visit us as individuals or minor groups and after collecting our votes, abandon us until another four years. In fact, we become important Nigerians in Ogun state once in four years.

Towards this end, the Igbo leadership in the state led by Eze W.O Ejimkonye, has created the Ndigbo Political Committee headed y High Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi to carefully study the manifestos of all the political parties, antecedents and pedigrees of the candidates to support in each particular election, even as he stressed that the era of rice, Ankara and Semovita was over.

Speaking at the occasion, Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi said in the past ten years, Ndigbo in Ogun state had nothing to show for their support to successive governments in the state.

He said: ”Ogun state is a peaceful state. And we cherish the cordial relationship existing between us and the state government. We only ask that we be given a sense of belonging. We want government to improve our welfare.

“Politicians and their various parties should appreciate the contributions Ndigbo are making towards the development of the state and should reciprocate the gesture, by carrying our people along in the scheme of things.

“We ensured that our people a large number of Ndigbo registered during the registration exercise. Ndi Ezes are united. The era when we could not speak with one voice is over. Now, we are in unity.

Speaking also the Eze Igbo, Ifo Local Government Area of the state, Eze Ejimkonye, called for the appointments of more Igbos into boards of parastatals and agencies in the state.

Meanwhile 25-man Ndigbo Political committee headed by Chief Vitalis Onwuelezi has been set-up to advise the Igbo leadership on which party and /or candidate to support in each particular election. The leadership will in turn take decision and direct Ndigbo accordingly.

January 16, 2015
Igbo mobilises for APC

A social group, Igbo Political Coalition (IPC)has pledged to support the vitory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the coming election.

The group leader Chief Livinus Nnodebem said IPC has always supported the progressives since 1999, noting that it will repeat same during elections.

He said: “Some think we Igbo do not speak with one voice. That is not true. If some are claiming that, maybe that happens in the market place. But we have fathers who speak and other people will comply with whatever they say.

‘’We have aligned ourselves with the progressives since 1999 and it will continue like that. APC has never lost in our area and they will never lose.

“From the top I’m sure the party is doing everything to ensure victory. We in the grassroot are doing same,’’ he said.

Nnodeben said Igbo man in Lagos will do everything possible to ensure APC won because of the vast property they have in Lagos.

Also speaking, another leader Chief Ben Nnakise said the APC has made remarkable impact in the lives of the people of the state, stressing that it has to continue.

“As a leader, I can tell you categorically that we speak with one voice. We are sensitising our people and telling them why it is important to reach out and smoke out Igbo in their neighbourhood to vote en masse for APC. Already, we have identified with APC in Lagos and are present in other local councils in Lagos.

Nnakise who hails from Nnewi, Anambra State added that 45 percent of the Igbo people constitute the voting population the constituecy he resides in Lagos.

January 15, 2015
Imo to host Igbo Music Award

The Imo State government will host this year’s edition of the Igbo Music Award, an event seeking to preserve and promote the Igbo culture through its music.

It is through Igbo music as produced by the practitioners that its language is documented and stored for generations to come.

Again, Igbo contribution to world culture is a product of Igbo music and musicians. It is in tandem with this obvious position that the annual Igbo Music Award otherwise, called Ekwe Award has become an important event in the cultural calendar of the Igbo nation. Inaugurated in 2013 by the Ogbakoro Theater Company, Ekwe Award is the promotion and the recognition of the finest in Igbo music, with Igbo language as a vehicle of such rendition and composition.

The 2014 Ekwe Award, which is the last big item in the Igbo Cultural Calendar, is on. The process for selection and award ceremony has commenced. Billed for the last quarter of the year, it is expected that the 2014 Ekwe Award will be hosted by Imo State. The 2013 Award Ceremony hosted by Ebonyi State took place at the prestigious Women Development Center, Abakaliki. Many multinational conglomerates have shown interest in partnering the organizers in show casing the best in Igbo music and culture since, the award is geared not only in bringing out the best in Igbo music regardless of genre, it is also meant to tell the world that the Igbo peoples language which many fear is going into extinction, is a major contributor to world culture and civilization.

Meanwhile, call for entries have commenced and voting for winners in the various categories will be announced soon. The organizers have promised to stage a once in a lifetime event, which will not only be promoted in the South-East but will register in the cultural timetable of all lovers of music and culture.

While we welcome the 2014 Ekwe Award, it is worthy to note the pathetic attitude of South-East government and Igbo leaders towards the advancement and propagation of Igbo Culture, Language and music.

In 2013, after several promises and pledges it was the far seeing Governor and Government of Ebonyi State that supported Ekwe Award.

Even Corporate Institutions like the GSM Providers, MTN showed little commitment to this worthy course. It was as if while we lament the onslaught and battering the Igbo language is facing today, the Igbo nation as a people has failed to recognize the very unique role music plays and will continue to play in the sustenance of the language, as one of the body of world languages.

In 2013 the organisers had to through dint of ruggedness of spirit and vision carried out the epochal arrival of All Igbo music award. It is therefore, hoped that the governments and people of the South East should do the needful in promoting this laudable project which not only chronicles the different genres of Igbo music in their uniqueness but helps in recognizing Igbo music stars and ambassadors with the aim of giving them their rightful place in the Pantheon of stars and legends.

As Imo state is billed to host the 2014 Ekwe Award, it is gratifying to note the interest shown by the people towards the awards but this enthusiasm can be better complimented if the Imo state government should take interest and contribute towards its success.

Also, we call on the governments of Southeast states to rally resources in culture promotion and support great and iconic ideas like Igbo music award when they do this, the Igbo language and culture will not only be enriched but archived for posterity.

November 13, 2014
Igbo traders troop out for civic education

The main auditorium of the Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway was packed full of Igbo residents in Lagos. The gathering was not the usual Igbo gathering for the new yam feast nor was it the usual Igbo-Day celebration. It was a day that traders across the state left their businesses to receive civic education. It was a gathering to bring about the revitalisation of Igbo participation in the politics of the state and the country at large.

The event was organised by Ndigboamaka, a coalition of 58 traders’ associations in the state.

Speaking to journalists, the group’s National Coordinator, Nze Basil Osunkwo, said the reason for the sensitisation was to remind the traders of their civic responsibility, which includes, obtaining voters cards and voting on Election Day.

Nze Osunkwo noted that the exercise, which will be carried out by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) leads to the issuance of permanent voters cards to eligible voters. He said, “This sensitisation programme became very necessary considering the fact that in the past, some of the traders were so engrossed in their businesses that they were not concerned with their basic civic responsibility as citizens, more so, they have never appreciated the enormous powers they wield with their voters cards, especially when they put the card to action by voting for their preferred candidates at elections.”

He noted that there was no reason for any one to complain about bad governance if he or she remains aloof over election matters, noting that the time has come for these traders to take their destinies in to their hands by deciding who rules over them with their votes.

He said: “What we are doing is a sacrifice and that is why we have abandoned or businesses and works to organise this sensitization programme to remind the people of the revalidation of voters card exercise that begins today and ends on Sunday.

“ Our group, which comprises 58 markets associations in Lagos, has observed that many traders don’t take the issue of election very seriously and so do not even make out time to register and obtain voters cards. This we think will not help the political development of the country.

“ Election begins with getting voters card and then casting your votes for your preferred candidate at election. We are sensitizing and educating these market men, women and other professionals on the need for them to realize the powers they have with the cards in deciding who rules over them at various levels.”

Nze Osuokwu said in the past that traders usually registered at units close to their market places and on election day, markets are not opened and there is restriction of movements and in the end such traders disenfranchised themselves. “ We are appealing to them and to equally make them see reason why they should make the necessary sacrifice for them to register at the units close to their residence so that on election days they would go out to vote and not staying at home because they could go to the polling units at their market places.”

November 13, 2014
Reviving Igbo culture in the Diaspora

Culture is the customs, ideas, values, character, practices, traditions and norms of a people, society or social group. It encompasses the visual art, music, dance forms, attire, cuisine, language, mythology, and festivals through which a distinct ethnic group is identified.

The Igbo, like other ethnic groups, are identified by some cultural traits that distinguish them from others.

Igbo culture or Omenala Ndigbo modifies the people’s thoughts, speech, actions, and behaviour.

One of the revered cultural practices of Ndigbo is the celebration of the new yam festival which has been passed on to generations. They also believe in onuru ube nwanne agbala oso (being their brothers’ keeper).

As a result, they congregate as village associations, town unions, or church associations or societies wherever they reside. This helps them to further propagate their culture. Wherever they reside, Ndigbo celebrate their culture, especially the Iriji (new yam festival).

For this reason, they celebrated the new yam festival in far away Netherlands, during which some notable Igbo sons were recognised and honoured.

The festival was performed by Eze Ndigbo in Lagos, His Royal Highness Dr. Christian Nwachukwu.

The festival was not for those who live in Netherlands alone. Other prominent Igbo traditional rulers travelled to be part of the great cultural festival. Among them was the traditional ruler of Ichida in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Charles Ezeudogu (Obi II of Ichida).

Notable Igbo sons and daughters in attendance were the publisher of Orient Daily Newspapers and Magazines, Sir Godwin Ezeemo; the Director-General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Emeka Eze and High Chief Obiora Okonkwo who was represented by Chief Arinze Okonkwo.

They were given awards of excellence in recognition of their various contributions to the development of Igbo land.

Two of the award recipients, Mr. Eze and Sir Ezeemo, had contributed immensely to the development of Anambra State through philanthropy.

The ceremony also brought together some Igbo daughters in the Diaspora. They included the Minister in Nigeria’s Embassy, Mrs. Nini Okey Uche and the chairperson, Igbo Women Forum in the United Kingdom, Mrs. Megan Adaobi Clement, among others.

Speaking at the event, the President of Igbo Union in Amsterdam, Anthony Okafor, said the ceremony was borne out of the desire to rekindle the Igbo language among the younger generation.

He said the habit of parents and guardians in disregarding their mother tongue in preference to foreign languages and cultures needed to be addressed.

“We have seen our mistakes in discarding our tradition totally for the Whiteman’s culture, while the so-called Whiteman holds to fast theirs.

“Civilisation does not mean abandonment of one’s lineage. Rather, it needs to be propagated. So, we intend to correct that mistake for our children’s future,” Okafor said.

According to Igwe Nwachukwu, the event was to maintain and inculcate Igbo cultural values and traditions in the younger generation so that they would not repeat the mistakes of the past.

“We hope that this year’s new yam festival and celebration of successful Igbo citizens will make a mark in the lives of our children, so as to keep the light aglow when we are gone,” he said.

Ezeemo praised the group for honouring him. He said: “Ndigbo always maintained the principle of onuru ube nwanne agbala oso anywhere they reside. They are entrepreneurs of repute and never rely on help that are patronising.”

Ezeemo advised the group to be selfless in serving one another to achieve immeasurable goals. He also urged them to make accountability their watchword; learn from the system so as to bring wealth from the Western world back home for solid and sustainable development of Igbo communities.

Continuing, he said: “The traits which Ndigbo are known for are being brought to bear, whether at home or in the Diaspora. Ndigbo in Amsterdam have made me proud. I have no regret being an Igbo man. Your single initiative to have an Igbo school in a foreign land shows truly that the blood of our ancestors flows in you all.

“I am happy with the development. I will contribute my quota to ensure that our children, no matter where they were born, would be proud of their native language and speak it fluently as well as language is a handmaid of culture.

“The fight to salvage our customs, culture, tradition, values and language is one we must win. We have a very rich cultural heritage which we must preserve and hand over to our children and generations unborn.

“It is heartbreaking to realise that our fathers handed over cultures, traditions and customs to us and we are unable to sustain them. Rather, we tend to allow them to become extinct.

“I grew up with the moonlight tales and plays, folktales, masquerade displays at the village square, new yam festival, kinsmen exchanging visits and meetings to mention but a few. These Igbo cultural values and mores are eroding away fast.

“Let us emulate our Yoruba and Hausa brothers that are so proud of their languages. Even in the Whiteman’s land; let us bring back the culture of brotherhood.”

Ezeemo praised the group for its efforts to ensure that the Igbo language is not extinct in 2025 as predicted by the United Nations Educational Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

September 11, 2014
Who will speak for the Igbo?
SIR: True democracy buoys up independence and discourages thralldom. I love the Igbo for they are ingenious and believe in the unity of Nigeria if not it would have been difficult for them to have huge investment all around the country and even in inhospitable areas. Some commentators have even equated them with the Israelis but unlike the Israelis the Igbo have not made democracy lively in spite of being reputed to be republicans – have not improved on science, technology and the quality of life of the average Igbo.

Unlike the Israeli political leaders, yet again, who love to promote Israeli causes by calling on other nation-states to invest in her (even recently at the world economic forum in Davos Switzerland), assemblages like APGA, Ohaneze Ndigbo, MASSOB in contrast do not agree on a common objective that will take the Igbo to dreamland- is it surprising that Israel stands out in military competency, technological proficiency and a with a buoyant economy, while the south-eastern economy is still in stagnation.

Unlike the Israeli that are united not heeding to the geographical space they occupy within Israel, the Anambra Igbo see themselves as more Igbo than others, while the Imo Igbo see themselves as more educated and the Enugu Igbo.

APGA no doubt has the right to endorse any party it likes for elections but is such co-operation entrenched in their party laws? Shouldn’t that party be worried about deliberating on issues that are correct and throw candidates for national elections instead of settling down as a tribal party without plans to take their place in the National political landscape?

How come that a region that is touted to have a strong political force is satisfied with being loyal to a ruling party and of what political benefit is the liaison to the entire Igbo?

Wouldn’t that party’s independence in years to come be subject to the consent of the PDP?

It is time that APGA rightly take on its responsibility to lead and shape the widely held support rather than simply follow a herd instinct.

The South-east needs a Winston Churchill and other grandees to help shape their political future beyond drama. But who will speak for the Igbo people in Nigeria?

I am knocked for six to see how easy it is for the Igbo politician to compromise.
- Simon Abah,
Port-Harcourt, Rivers State
September 8, 2014
INEC plans to disenfranchise Igbo, group alleges

A group, Ndigbo Unity Forum, has alleged plans by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disenfranchise over two million registered voters in the Southeast.

The president of the forum, Mr. Augustine Chukwudum, told The Nation in Calabar yesterday: “I would like to inform the world that we have discovered that INEC has deliberately, through their inefficiency, planned to disenfranchise many eligible voters in the Southeast.

“Our investigation shows that more than two million voters will be denied their rights to vote because of the deliberate inefficiency by INEC.

“After an emergency session, we observed complaints by the Southeast residents that INEC workers tasked with the conduct of the voter registration, are not enough. Also, we observed that the few INEC workers always display nonchalant attitude towards their duty. We observed that most of the machines used in the registration always break down.”

September 1, 2014