The Anambra State gubernatorial election conducted on 6 November, has come and gone with Professor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The election came when states in the South East have become no go areas as a result of violent activities of IPOB.
The outlawed group had threatened fire and brimstone if INEC dared to conduct election in Anambra State. With its sit-at-home directives which paralysed socio-economic activities of the state, many Nigerians expressed reservations on whether or not the group will allow the people to vote. So there were fears that IPOB would unleash violence against the electorate and stop the election.
At last, despite some pockets of violence recorded, the election went smoothly and the winner declared. INEC deserves a pat on the back for conducting a credible poll
The Anambra election points out that the coast is clear for the 2023 elections in the troubled South East. The Ohanaeze, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo, should prevail on their youths to shun violence and embrace peace.
While it is legitimate for IPOB to agitate or frown at government’s policy of exclusiveness which they claimed to be their motive, it is wrong for IPOB to resort to violence for something that can be resolved democratically and peacefully.
Soludo should therefore quickly work with traditional rulers and other stakeholders towards reducing tension and restoring normalcy and lasting peace in Anambra State.
The South East governors should also use Soludo’s victory to foster unity and put IPOB’s threat to corporate existence of the country at bay.
Ibrahim Mustapha wrote from Pambegua, Kaduna State
