Abubakar Zakaria, Abuja
Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Wednesday, said that Northern voters will not be stamped or threatened by the Apex Igbo Social-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The forum also said that North identify ethnic and religious politics clearly in this reckless statement coming from Ndigbo organization.
NEF in a statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said that Nigerians and Northerners in particular, will not be impressed or blackmailed into making choices that are not informed by their own interests.
Recall that the national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, Alex Ogbonnia, has berated Katsina based activist, Mallam Mahdi Shehu, over his alleged comment that a vote for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi in the 2023 general election is a vote for Biafra.
He said after watching the video clip, he was shocked that such a person that held tenaciously to the grudges of the past was still active in contemporary era.
Acting, Baba-Ahmed said: “Forum is shocked at the statement released by Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isuguzoro, in a language that is both irresponsible and damaging to its own interests.
“Mazi Isiguzoro singles out the North as the bastion of ethnic and religious politics while he unashamedly campaigns for Igbo presidency, complete with the threat that Nigeria will not be secure and united unless an Igbo President emerges.
“At a time when wise counsel dictates that Nigerians should be circumspect and disciplined in the manner they interact with the electoral process, the juvenile utterances of Mr Isiguzoro must be condemned in the harshest terms.
“On the contrary, they will notice that the apex Igbo organization is virtually subverting one of its own, and blaming the rest of the country for the postures of political candidates”.
The forum appealed to leaders and elders to show maturity and leadership as we embark on campaigns that are, in themselves, fraught with threats and dangers.
The Forum also advised Nigerians that the democratic system does not operate on the basis of threats and blackmail, and we should be prepared to support and vote for any candidates of our choices next year.
