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Yoruba Elders warn politicians against profiling of Igbo
• Say moves to discredit Obi on 2023 polls will fail
A group, Conference of Concerned Yoruba Elders (CCYE), has warned politicians against profiling of Igbo, insisting the people are peaceful, hardworking, accommodating and law-abiding.
It said the caution followed intelligence reports suggesting desperate attempts to discredit Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate (LP), Mr. Peter Obi.
In a statement signed by National Coordinator, Prof. Olusegun Ajibola, and National Secretary, Dr. Iyabode Adisa, the group wondered why the misdeed of one Chinasa Michael, alleged to have masterminded burning of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) terminal at Oyingbo, Lagos State, should be basis for judging Igbo.
Arguing that Chinasa could not have carried out the deed alone, the group asked why some politicians championing a campaign of calumny against Igbo have not put pressure on law enforcement agencies to arrest Chinasa’s accomplices.
CCYE said: “We have watched with keen interest subtle attempts to de-market Mr. Peter Obi through the deliberate profiling of Igbo people in some parts of the country.
“On no account should the criminal tendency of a person be used to benchmark millions of others from the same geographical entity, all in a desperate bid to weaken the chances of a candidate in the 2023 presidential election.”
The elders, who clarified that they are non-partisan and non-aligned, said their concern is a fair and peaceful electoral process, as well as election of a new set of leaders, who recognise the enormity of challenges confronting Nigeria and have shown demonstrable capacity to fix the same.
The statement reads in part: “As responsible and enlightened elders of thought in Yoruba land, we are duty-bound to always stand for justice, truth and equity.
“We are constrained to respond to some negative narratives on social and traditional media against the Igbo people and the presidential candidate of Labour Party by some desperate politicians, who are having sleepless nights over his growing popularity across board.
“Even though we are Yoruba elders, we need to speak out in the interest of unity and fair play. The recent media propaganda by agents of a certain presidential candidate and others against Igbo people and Peter Obi, in particular, where they tried to desperately link the criminal attitude of a Lagos deviant, Michael Chinasa, who was recently remanded by a Lagos court over the burning of some BRT buses, is unacceptable, mischievous and calculated to blackmail the Igbo nation.
“It is wickedness of the highest degree to link the action of one single individual, who acted in connivance with others from other tribes in committing the criminal act, to judge the character of Igbo people or paint Igbo as aggressive people who don’t like the progress of Yoruba.
“This is propaganda taken too far, and must be stopped in the interest of unity. There are criminals in all tribes in the world. How come some people are frantically trying to criminalise the Igbo at all cost?
“Who is afraid of Peter Obi? There’s no way Chinasa alone could have burnt 30 BRT buses! Who are his collaborators? Why are the social media handlers of these desperate politicians silent about his other co-accused who are also standing trial or are still at-large for similar offence?
“Why are they silent about the others who where set free over the same offence? It’s our submission that criminality should be separated from tribe, since every tribe and religion have criminals among them.
“These desperate politicians are also going as far as branding anyone supporting Peter Obi as an IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) member just to assassinate his character and popularity. Peter Obi is like an idea whose time has come, and no amount of campaign of calumny can change the mind of those that have already made decision to vote him as the next president of Nigeria.”
Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, was arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday night.
The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, confirmed the development to Channels Television.
Okorocha, who was arrested at REIZ Continental Hotel in central Abuja, was, however, released on bail by the NPF following an hour of interrogation over allegations of criminal conspiracy, forgery and impersonation.
CSP Iniedu, who confirmed the arrest and subsequent release on bail to our correspondent, noted that the former governor was asked to return to the Force Headquarters on Tuesday for further interrogation as investigations into the allegations continue.
The arrest reportedly followed Okorocha’s failure to honour previous police invitations in connection with the ongoing investigation.
He was initially invited to the Force Headquarters on September 2, but the appointment was rescheduled to September 8 at the request of his lawyers, a date he reportedly failed to honour.
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been appointed a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) 2027 Presidential Campaign Council list released last night.
This is despite the fact that he is the National Leader of the opposition All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Similarly, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, the National Leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke of the opposition Accord Party (AP), are on the expanded and all-inclusive team headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Other members include Presidential Adviser on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, and former House of Representatives member Patrick Obahiagbon.
Also named as members are former Osun APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, former National Legal Advisers Dr. Muiz Banire and Babatunde Ogala, Chief Ayiri Emami, Victor Giadom, Magnus Abe, and former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel.
The list, according to a report by The Nation, reflects inter-party cooperation and harmony based on the shared vision of propelling the country to the horizon of progress.
The report quoted a statement by APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, as saying that the campaign council will be inaugurated tomorrow in Abuja.
Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has called for a thorough and impartial police investigation into the recent violence surrounding a political gathering in the state, assuring that anyone found responsible will face the law regardless of political affiliation.
Mbah, in an address to the people of Enugu State, expressed concern over reports of violence, particularly a shooting incident that left a citizen injured.
The governor said his immediate concern was the welfare of those injured, residents who experienced fear during the incident, and families affected by the violence.
He assured the victims and affected residents that their safety and well-being remained a priority for his administration.
“I know how much our people value the peace and security we have worked so hard to establish in Enugu. Incidents such as these cause anxiety and deserve our full attention,” the governor said.
Mbah stressed that every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, must be able to exercise their political rights without fear, intimidation or violence.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to protecting lives, upholding the law and ensuring that justice was served without favour.
The governor also stated that, in view of the preliminary findings regarding the incident, he expected the police to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the violence and identify those responsible.
According to him, anyone found culpable would be held accountable through the appropriate legal process, irrespective of their political connections.
“The Enugu State Government has made its position clear regarding allegations of involvement in this violence,” Mbah stated, reaffirming his administration’s responsibility to maintain peace and security across the state.
The incident has raised concerns over political tolerance and the safety of citizens participating in political activities in Enugu State.
The governor’s call for an impartial investigation underscores the need for the relevant security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the shooting and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
He concluded his address by thanking the people of Enugu State and praying for God’s continued blessings upon the state.
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