Anambra Election: Ezeife To FG, Demilitarized Southeast, Free 5000 Arrested IPOB, ESN Suspects

Anambra Election: Ezeife To FG, Demilitarized Southeast, Free 5000 Arrested IPOB, ESN Suspects

 

Former Governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the Igbo Elders Consultative Forum, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has outlined steps the Federal Government should do to ensure peace in the state ahead of the November 6 governorship election.

 

iexclusive News Nigeria reports that Ezeife stated that the Federal Government should free nearly 5,000 Igbo youths detained for supposed ties to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and the Eastern Security Network, ESN, and embrace dialogue ahead of the election.

 

Before the election, he called for the demilitarization of the South East.

 

Ezeife, speaking at a press conference, urged the Federal Government to use “non-kinetic methods” to restore calm in the region and guarantee that the election goes off without a hitch.

 

“Our attention has been brought to the increased militarization of the South East, as well as the resulting built-up tension and security concerns in the region, endangering the smooth conduct of the scheduled November 6, 2021 Anambra State election,” he stated.

 

“The South East’s growing insecurity has taken on a terrifying dimension, and it remains a horrible and troubling conundrum that must be solved.”.

 

“The South East’s growing insecurity has taken on a terrifying dimension, and it remains a horrible and troubling conundrum that must be solved.”

 

“As a result, we demand that the Federal Government demilitarize the South East.”

 

“Similarly, the Federal Government should immediately release the nearly 5,000 Igbo youths detained by security forces and held in dehumanizing conditions in various prison facilities across the country in the name of mystery gunmen, IPOB, and ESN, among others.”

 

Ezeife stated that the Southeast would ensure a free and fair election during the governorship election in Anambra State.

 

“It is our firm opinion that in any democratic state, including Anambra State, a secure and peaceful atmosphere is essential for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections,” he added.

 

In recent months, there has been an increase in insecurity in the South-East.

 

As a result of the activity of unknown shooters alleged to be members of the Indigenous Individuals of Biafra, IPOB, Eastern Security Network, ESN, or Biafra National Guard, BNG, some people have been killed and property has been destroyed.

 

These organizations profess to be fighting for the realization of Biafra, but the situation has devolved into criminals hijacking the agitation and doing all sort of wickedness in the South-East.

 

The Nigerian Army claimed on Monday that IPOB members are to blame for the instability in the South-East.