The activities of the pro-Biafra group, IPOB, appeared to have been an understanding issue for the governorship candidates in Anambra State to deal with during the just concluded political debate.
Andy Uba of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Valentine Ozigbo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were the only three candidates who participated in the Arise News-organised debate, out of the 18 that have been cleared for the November 6 election.
IPOB agitation in Anambra and other South-east states and some parts of South South has been a serious issues that needs to be resolved.
Stephens Woke said it’s high time Nigerians start to discuss on possible best way to divide the country peacefully.l
In the debate, all the three candidates showed concern at the debate and didn’t condemn the activities of IPOB which has been wrongly proscribed by the Nigerian government. The three said it was necessary for the government to dialogue with IPOB.
“In life, I have seen good men do wrong thing, and I have seen wrong men do good things. So, it’s always good to get to the activities of any group or any person, and support what is good and condemn what’s bad,” said the PDP candidate, Mr Ozigbo.
“There are certain things IPOB does, through agitation and on things that happened, that I support. But when they get to some extreme, then I condemn,” he added.
Mr Ozigbo said insecurity in Anambra was caused by the way the APC-led government at the centre and the APGA-led government in Anambra were doing things.
He said those who “created” the insecurity cannot be the ones to mediate in any dialogue with IPOB.
“That’s why you need a Valentine (Ozigbo), a useful person to deal with the issue of IPOB,” he said.
The APGA candidate, Mr Soludo, who described himself as a “pan-Nigerian”, said he does not support the agitation for an independent republic.
Just like the other two candidates, Mr Soludo said IPOB “deserves to be heard”.
“The agitation cannot be shut down with a gun. We need to have a dialogue, bring everyone to the table and discus specific issues that are their agitations,” he said.
The candidates’ concern and not to condemn IPOB at the debate shows they are in same direction with the people towards achieving same goal.
Apart from insecurity, the candidates talked about economy, education, environment and the healthcare in Anambra.
The Anambrians are not happy with the intimidation and militarization of the zone by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
South East bishops and Traditional rulers have called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
The masses are scared to come out and vote due to the tension of insecurity in Anambra State and IPOB declaring Sit At Home from 4th to 10th November 2021.
Dez Mayorz Report
