Igbo have right to vote for any party, nobody should threaten them, says IPOB

Igbo people have the right to vote any party of their choice, according to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, said in a statement on Wednesday that while the group’s main demand is a vote on self-determination, residents of the south-east are free to support any candidate of their choosing in the elections.

IPOB issued a warning that it will not put up with any attacks on Igbo because of their candidate preference or if they choose not to cast a ballot.

According to Powerful, the group was made aware of a “warning from a small village king in Yoruba country to the effect that they will deal with non-indigenous people, notably Ndigbo, who do not vote in the approaching elections according to the monarch’s wish.”

“This sort of threat tells you all you need to know about the Nigerian selection process which they like to call an election,” the statement reads.

“IPOB as a freedom movement do reaffirm our non-recognition and or participation of (in) the Nigerian electoral process because the results do not represent the will of the people.”

“While we Biafrans await a date for a referendum, nobody should threaten Ndigbo and Biafrans residing temporarily in other parts of Nigeria for any reason.

“IPOB want to state unequivocally that any attack in any part of Nigeria on the Biafran people or the Igbo Nation or their properties on account of the choice of individuals to participate and vote according to their conviction during this so-called election will be met with adequate and commensurate action.

“We urge men and women of good conscience in the North and West to caution their traditional rulers and politicians who want to use Ndigbo and Biafrans as scapegoats in this skewed election process to be very careful and retrace their steps. Gone are the days when Ndigbo will be threatened and intimidated during elections.

“As long as Biafrans have not been given the opportunity to exit Nigeria via a referendum, IPOB will not stand by and watch anyone Nigerian or non-Nigerian threaten Biafrans or carry out such threats against us and get away with it.

“Even as IPOB do not wish to be drawn into the zoo politics, nobody has the right to threaten Ndigbo or attempt to compel them to vote for a particular party or candidate. Any Biafran who wants to vote in this election has the right to vote for any party or candidate of his/her choice, and nobody should direct or threaten them to vote for a particular party in their community or state.

“If anyone threatens to attack Ndigbo and Biafrans or non-indigenes residents in your place, be rest assured that the people being attacked will not sit and watch their property and life being destroyed and will activate their right to self-defence.

“We are urging Ndigbo, Biafrans, and non-indigenes everywhere to be prepared to defend their property, family, and their own lives during and after this election period. Do not allow anyone to use you or your family as a sacrificial lamb this time around.

IPOB asked Igbo to be prepared to defend themselves in the possibility of being attacked.