As the Ondo State Governorship Election draws nearer, the Igbo group has warned its members living in the state against involving in electoral malpractices and violence during the November 16 poll.
The leader and Asiwaju of Ndigbo in the state, Mr Titus Umenweke, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Alimi Collins, on Wednesday, implored the Igbo to freely exercise their franchise by voting for the candidate of their choice, noting that it was their civic responsibility to do so.
He described the Igbo in the state as peace-loving and urged them not to truncate the peaceful coexistence between the Akure people and the Igbo.
He said, “I call on Ndigbo in Akure and other parts of the state that, we are here in Ondo State because of our businesses and means of livelihood, and other things are secondary. To those who want to vote, civility and peaceful conduct are key to us as the leaders of the Igbo community, and I trust my people that they won’t do otherwise.
“This appeal becomes necessary because we don’t want a repeat of 1983 where the state was thrown into crisis. We all bear the pains because business can only thrive where there’s peace and harmony.”
He also enjoined the members to shun violence, and unlawful conduct before, during and after the election, saying whoever runs contrary to the rules of the election will have himself to blame.
He added that the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa had worked hard to entrench peace in the state, warning that nobody should hide under the guise of election to create a crisis in the state.
Umenweke thanked the governor and the Deji of Akure, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, for maintaining peace among the indigenes and non-indigenes residing in the state.
He pledged to collaborate and partner with relevant security agencies for the security of lives and property of the people.
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