Izuchukwu Okosi
Ahead of Saturday’s Governorship election in Anambra state, 10 candidates vying for the office of governor have issued a joint statement pledging a peaceful poll amid the political tension in the state.
The intervention came from Igbo leaders, including the Nzuko Umunna, an Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation who are keen to bring lasting peace and development to the south east.
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have threatened to disrupt the conduct of the election in the 21 local governments of the state but in a seven-point communique signed by the flagbearers of political parties seeking victory this weekend, the candidates are optimistic that the elections will be successful and called on all desenting voices to give peace a chance.
Candidates who signed the peace deal include: Godwin Maduka(A), Ben Etiaba(AA), Akachukwu Nwankpo (ADC), Andy Uba(APC), Charles Soludo (APGA), Onyejegbu Okwudili (APM), Valentine Ozigbo (PDP), Obinna Uzoh (SDP), Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP), Obiora Okonkwo (ZLP).
The joint statement issued by the aspirants read thus:
“In response to the very grave concerns expressed, and appeal made, by The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops, and in appreciation of the general anxiety arising from recent and continuing violence in the South East geo- political zone of Nigeria and Anambra State in particular, we the undersigned candidates in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State commit to peaceful and violence-free conduct in the run-up to, during and after the election,” the statement read in part.
“We the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election commit unequivocally to non-violence and the maintenance of peace throughout the duration of the election and beyond.
“We urge all our supporters and other stakeholders to commit fully to these ideals and refrain from any act that may imperil the election,” they pleaded passionately.
The continued detention of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja has reverberated across the country and indeed drawn the attention of the United Nations. This, the governorship candidates hope will be reassessed by the federal government.
“In order to eschew all acts that may torpedo the forthcoming election, we urge the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
Another issue of interest to the people of the south eastern and by extention ‘Ndi Anambra’ is the heavy presence of the military in the region which causes panic attacks on the people.
“We urge the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarize the South East Zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.
“We assure our youths that we have heard your cries and that we feel your pain. We urge our youths to eschew violence and commit afresh to peace.
Having sounded out the need to release the detained IPOB leader, Kanu, the contestants in the election then called on the loyal followers not to create troubles throughout the election period.
“Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.
“We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Armed Forces, other security agencies and all stakeholders to discharge their mandates in accordance with law and in a fair and just manner,” the message from the aspirants concluded.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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