Ahead of the planned Operation Python Dance III by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has warned Igbo youths not to do anything that would pitch them against the Nigerian state and turn the region into a killing field.
He said the people of the South East would vote for equity, merit and fairness in 2019 and urged them to take advantage of next year’s general elections to support a government that would change the narrative in the country.
Nwodo, who gave the advice in Enugu, yesterday, during the Business Conference of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, represented by Igbo World Assembly (IWA), regretted last year’s ugly incident, in which several members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) lost their lives, following military invasion of their leader’s compound at Afara-Ukwu, Umuahia, in Abia State.
Cautioning Ndigbo, especially the youths, against falling for the antics of anyone or groups that would want to incite them, the President General said his position has been that Nigerians are better together. He said considering the investments the Igbo have made in the country; they would not have a better deal in such conflagration.
Nwodo said the yearning of majority of Nigerians is a system of government that would re-engineer the economy the way it was in the first republic.
He insisted that the only way to achieve this is to restructure the system of governance.
“Four zones out of the six in the country have set the agenda for restructuring. I appeal to our people to go out and vote during the election because your warfare is your vote,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of IWA, which boasts of membership in 37 countries, Chief Nwachukwu Anakwenze, said the group would mobilise Ndigbo and other Nigerians for the elections.
Anakwenze said their support for any political party would be based on the position of such party in the restructure debate and rule of law.
“We are happy that the ball is set for another election and, among other things, we demand a debate by the presidential candidates to enable the electorate make informed choices,” he said.
He condemned the selfish attitude of some politicians from the zone; stressing that IWA was committed to restoring the relationship with their brothers and sisters from the South South region, and work for sustained security in the area.
