For Immediate Release
As the drumbeat for the February 2015 General Elections in Nigeria reaches a crescendo, with the elections around the corner, as the Chairman of the World Igbo Congress, WIC, the Diaspora Apex Igbo Organization, I appeal to every eligible Igbo voter, resident in Nigeria, as a matter of urgency and patriotism, to vote in the elections. With our votes, we can determine our Igbo destiny and that of our future generations.
We owe ourselves and posterity the responsibility of participating in choosing our leaders through the ballot boxes. Our full participation in the forthcoming election will ensure that we vote into power those that will bridge the gaps in the numerous inequities against ndi Igbo in contemporary Nigeria.
I am calling on Igbo voters to use this opportunity to vote for candidates with proven records and antecedents that will assure that they will ensure that there is at least an additional state in the South East Geopolitical zone to bring us to par with the other Nigerian geopolitical zones; that the Second Niger Bridge becomes a reality and that the sanctity and the security of the life and property of ndi Igbo are guaranteed across the country, and that the claim of right of ndi Igbo in the Nigerian project, including the right to produce a Nigeria President, is unconditional.
Democracy remains our best option as a nation for a sustainable economic, political and social growth, and the emancipation of our people. The sacrifices of our past and present heroes for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria must be appreciated and sustained. We must fully participate in the democratic processes to ensure that true and credible patriots, not political jobbers and opportunists, are elected in this coming election.
I call on all tiers of the government and the security agencies in Nigeria to ensure that this election is free and fair, and devoid of violence and brigandage. While ndi Igbo must never surrender their rights to defend themselves and their properties, I appeal to ndi Igbo to remain law abiding during and after the elections. We must reject all acts of political thuggery and hooliganism.
Our collective future as a people is in our hands. We must make our votes count. Our votes must count and be felt at the Presidency, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the State Houses, Houses of Assemblies and the Local Government Council. After the elections, our patriotism in exercising our civic duties must reflect on our roads, healthcare systems, educational system, electricity, portable water supply, and other dividends of democracy.
Our vote is our strength and our voice, and our strength must be felt and our voice must be heard. Our future is in our hands. The path to democracy is very challenging, but we must brace up for the challenges for it is the only arena where our destiny, the destiny of our nation, and the destiny of our children, born and unborn, will be determined.
Long Live Ala Igbo!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
Ichie Dr. Larry Udorji
Chairman, World Igbo Congress
Feb 2, 2015
