The Anambra State chapter of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, has called on candidate's of different political parties that participated in the November 6th governorship election in the state, who are aggrieved over the outcome of the polls not to approach the courts for the sake of peace.
In a press conference in Awka, Tuesday, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra State, Prince Emeka Udodeme, said the request became imperative in order that the winner might face the business of governance, instead of being distracted by issues of the court.
Flanked by the National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ichie Damian Okeke Ogene; Anambra State Woman Leader, Mr. Uju Egbuji; National Vice President (Women Wing), Mrs Amaka Ikwuka; State Youth Leader of Ohaneze, Onyedika Eweh; Udodeme said the electorate can only hold a leader accountable to the duties of his office only if he failed to deliver under a conducive atmosphere.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo is calling on candidates and political parties that participated in the November 6 governorship election in Anambra State, who might feel aggrieved over the outcome of the election to sheath their swords and support the winner to deliver good governance to Ndi Anambra.
“Aggrieved candidates and their political parties have the right, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, to express themselves. But as Ohaneze Ndigbo, we’re only pleading that such aggrieved parties should drop the idea of going to court for the sake of peace. This is for the betterment of the state and its people.
“This will ensure that the incoming government will focus on delivering democracy dividends to the people, instead of facing distractions. But if we distract them by contesting their mandate in the court of law, they might have reasons for not giving their best. We’re not forcing anybody to concede defeat – we’re only pleading, because, in every contest, only one person must emerge a winner,” he said.
Udodeme, who thanked President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Willie Obiano, as well as security agencies for ensuring that the election held under atmosphere devoid of rancor; also commended members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for calling off their sit-at-home order, which he said, gave way for smooth polls.
“In a very special way, Ohaneze commends members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for calling off the sit-at-home directive, which would have marred the process. This goes to prove to me that IPOB is not a terrorist organization; because, if they were a terrorist group, it would have insisted that the election would not hold.
“The Ohaneze Ndigbo has also congratulated the winner of the election, Prof. C.C. Soludo, and we also advise him to be magnanimous in victory by extending hands of fellowship to other governorship candidates that participated in the election,” he said.