Ahead of Voter’s registration/ revalidation exercise which is to commence on the 28 of this month, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has call on President Muhammadu Buhari to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy by ensuring that there are new electoral laws that will ensure free and fair election as well as ends insecurity challenges in the in the country.
In a statement made available to the media, Secretary General o the apex Igbo socio cultural group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro said Ndigbo residing in the 36 States of the country, must know the importance of the upcoming voter’s registration exercise from Monday 28th June 2021 and must sacrifice their time and participate in other to increase their numeric strength. He said with Igbo’s tremendous spread in 774 Local Government areas of the country, they stand high chance of translating their numeric strength to political movement come 2023. He added that despite INEC’s allotment of least polling units to the southeast, the region will not be discouraged, hence Ndigbo in all the 774 Local government areas must support the exercise
The statement further call on Biafra agitators especially IPOB and MASSOB to see beyond their nose by mobilising Ndigbo for this voter’s registration exercise as this will serve as boost for referendum when the need arises as it is only those with voters cards that will participate in the future referendum.
“These is the most crucial time for Ndigbo to get it right, especially as we will explore the window of opportunity to support the idea of Diaspora voters registrations and early voting being canvassed recently by INEC.
“Diaspora voting privileges must be a focal point of the National Diaspora Commission as it will give Nigerians abroad opportunity to take part in this electoral process through Foreign Missions and Embassies which would serve as centers for online voters enrollment.
“This is the finest time for Ndigbo especially the youths that had never take part in the voting exercise to register for the first time especially those that would be 18 years old this year, and our target Igbo population is 18-29 years old.
“We are also warning that registration of underage children in the North should be resisted by INEC.”, the statement said.