Peter Obi wades into Lagos voters debate saying no one can force Ndigbo to vote for them

FORMER Anambra State governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) vice presidential candidate has warned those trying to intimidate Igbo voters in Lagos State to desist from doing it as nobody has the right to force anyone to support their candidates.

On March 9, Lagosians join other states in Nigeria as they head to the polls to elect a governor and members of the state house of assembly. In more than any other state of the federation, Igbos form a large minority in Lagos State and their votes could be a deciding factor in what is now looking like a close race between Mr Sanwoolu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Jimi Agbaje of the (PDP).

Over the last week, there has been a lot of tension in Lagos as some APC chieftains have been threatening the Igbo community with attacks if they voted for the PDP. In a bid to douse the tension, Mr Sanwoolu met with Ohaneze Ndigbo leaders in Lagos over the weekend and it appears that the two sides were able to reach a deal.

Adding his voice to the debate, Mr Obi expressed concern over the threat by some people in Lagos State who warned that voters would be dealt with should they vote for a certain political party. He said such people were starting what they could not finish, stressing that the constitution guarantees every Nigerian the right to vote for candidates of their choice.

Mr Obi said: “Every Nigerian is free to vote where he resides without molestation and those who are trying to force people to vote for a particular political party are starting what they cannot control. Our people are law-abiding and they have contributed immensely to developing the places where they live, therefore, they have the right to help in determining who governs them.”

After a town hall meeting over the weekend, Ohanaeze Ndigbo's Lagos State leader Solomon Ogbonna, said his members have concluded plans to cast their votes for Mr Sanwoolu. Mr Ogbonna promised to mobilise the over 2m Igbo voters in Lagos to cast their votes for Mr Sanwoolu but demanded he should appoint six of their members as commissioners after the election.

However, Chief Nnia Nwodo, the national president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, has distanced the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation from statements credited to Mr Ogbonna. He described the comments as a personal opinion which no Igbo person living in Lagos should take seriously, saying everyone is free to vote for a candidate of their choice.