Anambra 2017: I’ll champion referendum for Biafra – Chidoka

By Okey Chris Awka—

Candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for Anambra governorship polls, Chief Osita Chidoka, has lashed out at the All Progressive Congress (APC)-led federal government for branding the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist group, saying the action was taken in bad fate. Chidoka, who spoke at Amorka, Ihilala local government area at the launch of his governorship campaign for Anambra gubernatorial election fi xed for November 18, said his party did not believe that those who were requesting for a restructured Nigeria or even for dismemberment of Nigeria were terrorists.

“Our country is troubled; our people are afraid; our future is uncertain. We cannot build a great nation without unity at home. We cannot be a nation where people are hated, branded and then hounded and ostracised. We stand here to declare that there are no terrorists in our state; there are no terrorists in our region and we do not feel terrorised as a people. “How can Igbos be terrorists? We have always actively participated in the Nigerian project, yet in this country, we have suff ered since June 1945 British inspired ethnic violence, 19 incidents of pogroms, wanton killings, and violence against our people living across the country. “Even at that, we have continued to endure.

We have continued, like no other group, to vote with our feet in support of a United Nigeria. We live, invest and raise families across the length and breadth of our country. We are only asking for a fairer union; a union founded on justice, equity and fairness. “We want a union where Emeka living and schooling in Kebbi, will not be judged as an Anambra indigenes at the point of admission.

Th e standard for Ahmed, who grew and schooled in Onitsha, should not be lowered because he is from Kebbi. We will advocate the abolishing of State of origin as a category of identifi cation and replace with state of residence,” he maintained. Chidoka, while promising to lead Anambra state to rebuild and re-engage Nigeria state where people would neither be repressed nor constantly misunderstood and mistrust one another, commended those agitating for a better Nigeria through one legitimate way or the other.

“To this end, my election as governor of Anambra State, will start off with a single agenda; an agenda to secure a new state for the southeast region to bridge the disparity we face. We will immediately, upon inauguration, in line with S. 8 (1) of the 1999 constitution get our National Assembly members from Anambra state, our elected House of Assembly members, and local government chairmen to sign a request to the National Assembly asking for a referendum for the sixth Southeast state.

“We will vigorously engage our friends from other states in the National Assembly and other states House of Assembly for a new state. Nigeria must take a decision on the issue of additional state for the southeast before the end of life of the 8thAssembly and the 2019 election. I will pursue this agenda with all dedication and drive; once it is accomplished, I will be ready for another election. I will not allow the love of offi ce to obstruct our greater good. Th is is my cardinal covenant with Ndi Anambra,” he said.

 

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