Brown Chimezie
With few days to the commencement of the general election, Eze Ndigbo Somolu/Bariga, Leonard Anayochukwu Agha, has urged the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct polls that would be free, fair and devoid of vote-buying.
In a statement made available in Lagos, yesterday, Eze Agha said only credible polls would save Nigeria from post-election crisis and bloodbath.
Agha condemend vote-buying and urged the electorate and Nigerians to eschew the ugly trend; in the interest of fairness and equity.
He said: “When you collect any inducement to sell your vote, you are selling the future of your children and generation yet unborn.”
On what can be done to curb it, Agha appealed to INEC to “go tough on any individual or group who partakes in this ugly trend.” He also appealed to the political class, regardless of party affiliation, to maintain peace during the election.
On how he directs affairs of Ndigbo in Somolu/ Bariga, Egha said as grand patron of non-indigenes in the area, from time to time, he “organises meetings whereby issues that are capable of causing crisis are easily settled.” He said while the registration for Permanent Voters card was on, he was able to moblise Igbo and other tribes in Somolu to participate and he is alo using his good office to encourage them to collect their PVC ahead of the election next week.
Agha urged candidates to adhere to their manifestos.