Elections: Ezeife, traditional rulers warn against attacks on Igbos

Chukwuemeka Ezeife

Prominent leaders from the Igbo extraction under the aegis of South East Peoples Assembly on Saturday in Abuja warned against what they described as unnecessary attacks on Igbos and their business interests in the northern Nigeria ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

The Igbo leaders also called on the Federal Government to pay compensation to the families of 827 Igbos who lost their lives and others whose property worth billions of Naira were destroyed during the 2011 post-election violence in the northern part of the country.

The group also resolved to declare a three-day National Prayer of all Igbos in the North for the success of the 2015 general elections at a date to be announced later.

The SEPA made its position known in a statement obtained by SUNDAY PUNCH and issued at the end of the first National Summit of Ndigbo in the 19 Northern states in Nigeria and the FCT.

The statement was signed by its leader, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; President, Council of Traditional Rulers in the Diaspora, Dr. Nwosu Ibeh; President-General, Ndigbo in Northern Nigeria, Mr. Jonathan Eze-Ekwueme and Coordinating Secretary of SEPA, Dr. Ifedi Okwenna.

The Summit deliberated extensively on the safety of people of Igbo extraction and their participation in the elections re-scheduled for March 28 and April 11.

The summit accused the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega of allegedly planning to disenfranchise the Igbos adding, "We condemn in totality, the actions of INEC in doing everything to reduce the voting powers of Ndigbo in Nigeria."

SEPA said, "The Federal Government should ensure efficient deployment of security operatives including the military in all parts of Nigeria at least three weeks to the presidential elections in enforcement of the constitutional obligations to protect the lives and property of all Nigerians.

"Ndigbo shall resist any further attempt to employ violence to kill and maim their sons and daughters with or without any provocation in any part of Nigeria on account of the outcome of 2015 general elections.

"We urge Ndigbo in Northern Nigeria not to fall for any form of intimidation and manipulation, but to remain resolute and collect their PVCs."