The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum has urged those who intend to boycott general elections in the Southeastern region of Nigeria to abandon the plan, stressing that a sit-at-home campaign cannot establish Biafra as a sovereign state.
Igbo elders advised youths to go to the polls on Saturday and vote for their preferred candidates because those who support the sit-at-home lifestyle are enemies of the Igbo people.
Chief Simeon Okeke, the former chair of the Police Service Commission, was one of those who called for the meeting. Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, a former governor of Anambra, and Prof. Charles Nwekeaku at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja.
The gathering noticed that the political decision is the best stage for the South-East to create Nigeria’s leader since freedom in 1960.
While urging the people of the South-East to go out in large numbers on February 25 to vote for the candidates of their choice, Okeke stated, “Elections in the South-East must be held.” The Igbo nation will view those calling for a sit-in at home as enemies.
“Don’t forget that your fathers and grandfathers demanded and fought for the same Biafra approximately 52 years ago, to those who are calling for a separate country called Biafra. Both combat deaths and starvation caused the deaths of millions. Several of us here were involved in that bloody conflict.
What leads you to believe that extreme activism can win that war this time? Guns, armored tanks, and other weapons were used in that war. When deciding how to organize the future for our people, children, and grandchildren, we need to use strategic thinking.
The elders urged locals to consider past events and similar ones that have occurred elsewhere in the world as inspiration.
“You could argue that your demand for separate existence is a basic human right,” he added. However, Nigeria is not the only country where people seek a separate existence. Scotland, for example, which is a part of Britain, is trying to live independently. The same is true in Spain, where Barcelona demands the same thing. They are not demanding it by imposing an unnecessary sit-at-home order or by killing and maiming their fellow citizens.
“They do it by actively participating in their country’s general elections, where they sponsor candidates to represent them in parliament and argue their case in a referendum to choose a course of action.
“Why not follow your demand in a civilized manner and take a page from them?” Violence, self-sacrifice, and staying at home when parents should be working and children should be in school are never ways to gain Biafra.
A sit-at-home order has been forced on residents of the Southeast. This irregularity must not continue, and it has extended to Election Day, when people are excited to use their votes to express their opinions.
“The combined voices of elders, youths, men and women, as well as our retired military and paramilitary officers, have come out to state unequivocally and reject this situation in its entirety for this reason,” the statement reads.