By voting for UPP, Igbos in Anambra ‘would have voted for the referendum’- Chidoka

In his continued apparent play for the electoral support of pro-Biafra agitators, the candidate of the United Progressive Party (UPP) in the November 18, 2017 Anambra governorship election, Osita Chidoka, has strongly suggested that a vote for his party at the forthcoming election would all but guarantee the quest for referendum by pro-Biafra groups, stating that “by voting for the UPP, ndi Anambra would have with one loud voice, voted for the referendum”.

Recall that Chidoka it was that drove Nnamdi Kanu, the now-missing leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), away from prison premises after he met his bail conditions.

Chidoka had also continued on the path of appeasing the group, releasing statement after statement all but backing the agitation, and casting the UPP, with its recognition of, and defence of the right to self-determination, as the perfect party for Pro-Biafra agitators.

It will also be recalled that the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), a group that claims to be the political arm of IPOB, had restored its support for Chidoka only after he came out strong in support of self-determination.

But some critics have dismissed what they refer to as Chidoka’s new-found appreciation of the right to self-determination, as mere political posturing, a calculated move to exploit the massive support of the secessionist movement to his political advantage at the polls.

Read also: Igbo agitations can’t be won ‘on the streets’; time for a new approach – Chidoka

Some have also pointed to what they consider the contradiction between his political goal and the objective of the pro-Biafra movement, arguing that his desperation to integrate both goals notwithstanding, the differences were clear and almost irreconcilable.

They reference the outright election boycott stance of IPOB as one such obvious contradiction.

A statement by the Director, Media, Osita Chidoka Campaign, Viola Ifeyinwa Okolie, revealed that Chidoka spoke while receiving a delegation of Christian leaders and Anambra youths who visited him in his country home, Obosi on Saturday.

The delegation was led by Ven. Dr. Oswald Ezekwere, the Archdeacon of Obosi Anglican Archdeaconry, who said the group was in Chidoka’s house to encourage and pray with him.

He later led the group in praying for God’s guidance, strength and grace on the UPP candidate ahead of the election.

Speaking, Chidoka argued that the UPP represented the best platform for agitators in the region based on its adopted principle of self-determination.

He said, “I commend ndi Anambra for identifying with the UPP. The UPP is that one party that understands and stands with the people in their aspiration. It is the only party that has chosen the idea of self-determination as an intrinsic right of Nigerians to determine by choice, their residency and their citizenship.

“By voting for the UPP, ndi Anambra would have with one loud voice, voted for the referendum. A vote for the UPP will be a vote that says to the whole country, this is the Nigeria we want and that message will not be lost on Nigeria.

“If we fail to vote, then we betray and put ourselves inside the lock and key of those who marginalize and repress us: those who give us operation python dance and those who relegate us as mere 5 percent”.

Chidoka also spoke on the incidence of voter apathy, stating that the major reason for it was the fear that votes would not count.

He however maintained that for this election, all votes would count and that nothing short of the mandate of the people would prevail.

“In this election, all votes will definitely count. We will ensure that INEC kept its promise to use electronic transmission of results directly from the polling centers. By that, only the will of the people as expressed in the ballot will determine the outcome of the election”, he said.

 

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