Apga lashes out at Nnamdi Kanu describing his call for election boycotts as irresponsible

ANAMBRA State's ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (Apga) has lashed out at the recent comment attributed to the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu calling on Igbos to boycott elections describing it as irresponsible.

On November 18, Anambrans will go to the polls to elect a new governor with incumbent Willie Obiano of Apga standing for re-election. Earlier this week, however, Mr Kanu warned that there will be no elections in Anambra State or anywhere across Igboland until a referendum is held on the vexed issue of Biafra.

Apga has condemned this statement, however, describing it as irresponsible and devoid of intellectual focus. Ifeatu Obiokoye, Apga's national publicity secretary, added that Mr Kanu had no authority to speak for the Igbos of the southeast, although Apga acknowledged him as the leader of Ipob.

According to Apga, the Biafra concept was a metaphor for the demand for equity and fair play in the Nigeria state and not a separatist movement. Mr Obiokoye said that the party said that it stood for restructuring and implementation of the 2014 National Conference resolutions as a certain way to peaceful co-existence among ethnic nationalities and for a dousing of tension.

“Nnamdi Kanu’s call for a boycott of elections in the southeast, beginning with the governorship polls scheduled for November 18, 2017 in Anambra is irresponsible, irredentist and totally devoid of any focus. You must appreciate that for different logical reasons and perception, the Biafra concept has attracted favourable comments among our people, ostensibly borne out of the marginalisation of Ndigbo in the Nigerian state.

“While youths of the east are agitating for Biafra, the Arewa youths are equally restive and the same goes for Niger Delta youths and youths from Oduduwa states. In this popular agitation for Biafra, Ndigbo have not instituted a separatist movement or a terrorist gang as it were and we are more concerned about the continued existence of Nigeria under the present structural arrangement," Mr Obiokoye added.

Apga urged Mr Kanu not to be carried away by the success of the May 30 sit-at-home call, which was attributable to many reasons, including fear. It demanded a re-visit and implementation of the report of the 2014 national conference, which arguably addressed the parameters for the restructuring of the nation.
 

Furthermore, Apga reminded Mr Kanu that the right to vote and be voted for was a universally declared right under the United Nations Charter of People’s and Citizenship Right, and in Nigeria's 1999 constitution. It advised the Ipob leader to drop his emperor perception of himself and be humble to the true leadership of Ndigbo for a proper and better articulation of the Biafra struggle.