Igbo leaders have called on security agencies to stop the ongoing killings in the Southeast for 2023 general elections to hold in the zone.
A former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Chief Ralph Obioha, said the violence must not be allowed to continue in the zone.
Obioha urged the residents of the zone to ignore any threat to boycott the general elections and come out to exercise their franchise, especially now that a candidate from the zone Mr Peter Obi is contesting for the office of the president.
“For this reason, I call on Ndigbo to ignore or caution anybody calling for a boycott of the 2023 elections and prepare themselves to come and vote despite any let or hindrance,” he said.
And for the chairman of the Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu all separatist groups in the South East must give peace a chance so that the region can participate in the 2023 general elections without hitches.
Iwuanyanwu revealed that his council had been working for the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, added that in the past few months he had watched with deep grief the amount of innocent blood, public and private properties being destroyed in the zone, and warned that if the trend continues the hope of a peaceful poll in the region may be a mirage.
Similarly, former Minister of Health, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike and said it was high time the legitimate authorities of the state began to show their strength and assure the citizens that no group of non-state actors would be permitted to disrupt the peace, especially the general elections in the South East.
“We have seen the agitators display their intent to intimidate the people and disrupt the elections. It is now time for the sovereign authorities to show the people what they have in stock for their security to ensure they come out and vote,” he said.
