From Obinna Odogwu, Awka
Youths in Anambra have called on the supporters of the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi, to sheathe their swords for the sake of peace.
A recent statement issued by Soludo where he expressly told Obi that he would not win the 2023 presidential election sparked controversy which saw many people attacking Soludo.
In response, some supporters of Soludo also unleashed attacks on the supporters of Obi, saying that they stood strongly with the governor. They also told Obi to heed Soludo’s advice and perish his presidential aspiration.
The youths, at a press briefing presided by the Deputy President of NYCN, Innocent Nduanya; Secretary-General of Ohanaeze youths, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, and others, appealed for calm.
“We wish to state clearly that there is no love lost between the Anambra State Governor, Prof Soludo, and the former Governor of the state and presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Obi, as it’s being bandied about in the media.
“This was evident in the conviviality and exchange of brotherly pleasantries between the duo recently at a Holy Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka, to mark the 70th birthday of the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor.
“We also wish to state that what we observed going on, is a political game as it is characteristic of any democracy. Governor Soludo is of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); a political party fielding a presidential candidate while Mr Obi is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
“Both individuals have the right, under a democracy, to campaign along party lines and we believe that understanding was established when Soludo received Obi earlier this year at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.
“As keen observers of politics in the country, we understand and insist that both individuals are very important to the Nigerian project and development of Anambra State in their own rights.
“Mr Obi’s candidature is neither an Anambra nor an Igbo mandate but a national project. Governor Soludo, on the other hand, is an elected Governor of Anambra State, with the people’s mandate for the next four years; and does not need any distraction in his efforts to deliver a liveable and prosperous homeland.
“We, therefore, call on everyone, especially supporters of both notable personalities, to exercise restraint and remain calm. There is a need to refrain from making inflammatory and divisive comments that will place us on the part of disunity and setback.
“In conclusion, as youth stakeholders, we need to remind the general public of how hard we fought for Governor Soludo’s mandate to become a reality. We will, therefore, give him our unalloyed support to succeed; and we will resist any attempt by anyone to mess up the mandate we gave to the governor”, they said.