By G9ija
Chief Ralph Obioha, a former chieftain of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), has urged the Ndigbo to vote and not boycott the 2023 presidential election, which he views as a referendum on a united Nigeria.
In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, he also noted that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has the support of Igbo elders.
Obioha described Obi’s candidacy as revolutionary and believes that he has quickly emerged as a top contender in the presidential race.
“The Obi phenomenon is so revolutionary and swift that, in as short as just a few months, he has come to be seen by many as the candidate to beat.
“On my part as someone having the abiding authority of Igbo elder statesmen to speak on their behalf on issues like this, I make bold to say that, along with the vast majority of Nigerians, Igbo elder statesmen are solidly behind Obi; not merely because he is Igbo but because he unarguably possesses the high character and fitness to be a PresidentPresident.” He said.
He further cautioned against voter apathy and called for maximum turnout of voters in the South-East on February 25, 2023.
“Any rhetoric on election boycott in the South-East will likely dampen the maximum turnout of voters that is expected in the South-East on February 25, 2023.
“For this reason, I call on all Ndigbo to ignore or caution anybody calling for boycott of the 2023 election and prepare themselves to come and vote despite any let or hindrance.” He added.