The President-General of Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASETU), Chief Sir Emeka Diwe, has called on all political parties in Nigeria, particularly within the Igbo nationality, to shun all forms of harassment, intimidation.and inducement of voters during the forth coming general election. He said that voters should be allowed to cast their votes according to their conscience and honest assessment of the various party flag bearers.
Chief Diwe, who is the national leader of Igbos worldwide under ASETU umbrella, stated this recently in a release made available to news men in his Aba office.
Chief Diwe spoke at the backdrop of incessant reports that politicians have up their ante in threatening and intimidating voters to unwillfully cast their votes for them.
The ASETU boss particularly referenced a recent report from a popular international television station in Nigeria which reported a certain APC party chieftain from Abuja who allegedly urged his female party supporters whose husbands stop from voting APC to divorce such husband and that he would marry them.
He said that while such comments are barbaric and uncalled for, it is capable of not only derailing the electoral process, but also intimidating reasonable female voting populace from exercising their civic responsibility.
Chief Diwe called on security agencies to rise up to their responsibility by inviting for questions those who made such uncouth utterances capable of causing chaos, apathy and break down of public peace during election.
He said that the allegation of a certain politician during Osun state election, who called on his supporters to kill members of opposition party without being investigated or prosecuted is most unfortunate.
The Igbo leader noted that the coverage and protection received by those political gladiators who make inciting comments during election is not unconnected with the rising political threat arround the country.
He warned that the Igbos, and indeed all Nigerians of goodwill, will not watch while the situation degenerates.
“Every eligible voter in Nigeria has the right to decide which candidate, or party to vote for after objective assessment of avalaible options. Such voter should not be induced or coerced” Chief Diwe said.
