Magnus Eze, Enugu
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has asked the Nigerian military not to put fear in South East voters with the militarisation of the zone ahead of next weekend’s and March 2 elections.
President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, made the call, yesterday, following the order by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, on Monday, to General Officers Commanding, formations’ commanders as well as brigade commanders deployed in the South East part of the country, to immediately clampdown on pro-Biafra groups in the zone.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had reiterated the resolve of its members to boycott the elections and, instead, scheduled to hold a referendum on February 16; the day of the presidential and National Assembly elections.
Leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural body warned against a repeat of the dastardly military exercise of 2017, code named ‘Operation Python Dance II’ in Abia State, where several lives of Igbo youths were wasted.
Nwodo, in a statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to the marching orders given by the Chief of Army Staff to Division and Garrison Commanders in the South East of Nigeria, to go after IPOB members in the region, in order to forestall their threat to boycott the forthcoming general elections and, instead, hold their own referendum.
“Ohanaeze is disturbed that this kind of order might be misconstrued to execute carnage, drowning in shallow water and inhuman and degrading treatment on our youths, as happened in the last Operation Python Dance in Abia State.
IPOB remains a peaceful organisation championing self-determination. Their last threat for boycott of Anambra State elections witnessed no violence, but, instead, we saw a higher turnout of voters than in previous elections. The army did not order any such operation then, as they are ordering now.
“We hope this operation is not aimed at scaring the people of the South East from coming out to cast their votes. We should be allowed to use our traditional rulers, community leaders and religious leaders to restrain our children.”