The Federal Government was on Tuesday called on by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to produce the soldiers involved in the rigging of elections in Bayelsa and River States. The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, stated this while reacting to the videos showing soldiers allegedly aiding and abetting election rigging in some states. In a statement released by Ohanaeze’s deputy spokesperson, Chuks Ibegbu, he stated that the issue should be addressed. The body also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, against “thwarting” the will of the people. Ohanaeze challenged INEC to ensure that the results reflect votes cast in the polling units across the country.
“The federal government should fish out soldiers and security agents that aided and abetted election rigging in some parts of the country. “The Chief of Army staff had assured that soldiers would be neutral in the election but we are disturbed by reports that soldiers aided and abetted election rigging in some states like Bayelsa, Rivers and others. This is unacceptable and must be addressed.
“Secondly the IG of police and the Lagos state police command must fish out and prosecute the hoodlums that attacked Igbo traders in Lagos. This is barbarism at its extreme and a threat to the corporate existence of the nation. It must not be swept under the carpet and whoever prodded the hoodlums to do that must be apprehended. “Finally Ohanaeze cautions INEC not to allow itself be bulldozed into thwarting the will of the people. Election results must reflect the voting at the polling units and not fictitious or manufactured figures. The world is watching.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an apex Igbo socio-cultural group in Nigeria. The group represents all Igbo communities within and outside Nigeria. Igbos by census, represent one of the three largest ethnic groups in Nigeria. Although the group is not a political party, part of its objectives of creation is to foster unity among its members in order to better allow them to be representative within the political scenario of Nigeria. The policy is under review as there are some very important issues confronting ndi Igbo, some of which are even threatening their growth which the umbrella group needs to address urgently.
After the Nigerian civil war, some prominent Igbos gathered to proclaim the need to unify Igbos under a common umbrella body. This initiative was much welcomed considering maximum displacement of the Igbos during the war and its aftermath. An organizational assembly was created, referred to as the Igbo National Assembly (INA). This organization was later banned by the Federal Military Government at the time, probably due to the Government’s fear of a grand suspicious agenda being cultivated by the Igbos via the organization; hence, the creation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in 1976.
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