Just hours to the commencement of the off- cycle election in Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi states, thee factional leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Simon Ekpa has threatened to disrupt the exercise in the South East.
In a post on his X handle, Ekpa said none of the Biafrans will participate in the election.
He was reacting to a report of an attack on the Bayelsa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Bara Daniel.
Daniel was attacked on Thursday night following a misunderstanding that occurred between the supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the PDP over where the election materials should be kept ahead of the poll.
The incident occurred at Twon Brass jetty in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State when officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were offloading the election materials.
Photos of the PDP chairman which was shared online showed injuries and blood stains on his head and body.
Reacting, Ekpa said, “This is how they kill each other and call it election. No Biafran will die in Imo State because they will not come out.”
Meanwhile, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in a statement, urged Imo residents to ignore the sit-at-home directive by IPOB and turn out for Saturday’s election.
It reads in part, “I wish to appeal to all the Imo people to turn out en masse to cast their votes for any candidate of their choice.
“I have been told that some people have issued threats prohibiting Imo people from coming out to cast their votes. In fact, I understand that this group has issued a total sit-at-home order from November 9, to November 12, 2023.
“If Imo people should comply with this, there will be no election in Imo State and that will create chaos.
“I am, therefore, with every sense of responsibility and love, appealing to the leader of this group to rescind his decision to order a sit-at-home.’’
Incumbent governor, Hope Uzodinma of the APC, Samuel Anyanwu of PDP and Athan Achonu of Labour Party are the three main candidates in the election
Alex Ogbonnaya
