The Igbo Community Association in Nasarawa State has endorsed the APGA governorship candidate in the state, Mr. Labaran Maku, as their preferred choice for the April 11 governorship election. Speaking at a town hall meeting organized by the Association at the Igbo Community Hall in Lafia, the President General, Prince Michael Agbai, said the endorsement of Mr. Maku by the Igbos, was predicated on the mandate they had received from their leaders in the South East to elect him as the governor of Nasarawa State on the platform of APGA.
Prince Agbai, who likened Mr. Maku to the late Igbo leader, the Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Odimegu Ojukwu, said they both possessed the unrelenting spirit of revolution and the struggle for justice and equality.
He assured Mr. Maku that the Igbos, who constituted about 40 percent population of the residents of Nasarawa State, had resolved to vote for him in the election because he remained the only contestant among the candidates, who could guarantee peace and security for their businesses to thrive.
Prince Agbai said the era where Igbos used to run away during elections was over as they had resolved to stay back in their respective states of residence to struggle for a better society that would provide them the opportunity to realize their potential and contribute to the development of the area.
In his remarks, Mr. Maku, who said Nigeria was long integrated but for the negative activities of some divisive forces, promised the Igbos that they would be adequately represented in his government if elected governor of Nasarawa State.
Mr. Maku told the Igbos to consider Nasarawa State as their home because of the historical attachment, and reminded them that prominent Igbo leaders like the former governor of Old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, were born in Nasarawa State.
He said if elected governor, Nasarawa State would be a model for peace and tranquillity so that other states in the north would emulate in order to promote development and economic prosperity.
“I believe that the only way I can contribute to the development of the north is to retrieve Nasarawa State, return her to peace, law and order and then export peace to surrounding states.
“If I am able to take over this state, two weeks after April 11, all those people killing in the bush will run away”, he stated.
He saluted the courage of conviction of the Igbos, who through a dint of hardwork, were able to overcome the challenges associated with the civil war, and forged ahead to make their unique contribution to the development of Nigeria.
Mr. Maku said he was motivated to vie for the governorship of Nasarawa State because of the incompetence of the APC government, which plunged the state into needless and avoidable crisis, which had crippled social and economic activities.
He promised to create a society ran on law and order where economic prosperity, peace, liberty, justice, unity and tranquility reigned supreme.
Mr. Maku was accompanied by his running mate, Alhaji Ibrahim Abu, the candidate for House of Representatives in the Obi-Lafia Federal Constituency, Nurudeen Mohammed and other chieftains of APGA in Nasarawa State.
Zakari Edego
Director Publicity
Maku Campaign Organization
