2015: Group urges Igbo to participate in polls

A socio-cultural group, Odimma Igbo, has urged the Igbo community in Lagos to participate very actively in the 2015 general elections

National leader of the group, Chief C. E. Ekeke, who made the appeal in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said the days of voter apathy on the part of Ndigbo were over, saying the people were now poised to make themselves relevant in Lagos politics.

His words: “Odimma Igbo is a socio-political organization on a mission to emancipate Igbo from the political strangulation of other tribes in the country.
“Towards this end, we have been liaising with other Igbo associations in Lagos State towards sensitizing the people on the imperativeness of participating actively in the voters’ registration exercise, starting from today.
“The 2015 elections will, therefore, present Ndigbo a unique opportunity to correct these anomalies and put things in proper perspective.”
On the forthcoming voters’ registration exercise, Ekeke appealed to market leaders, town unions and other Igbo-based associations to mobilize their members and ensure that they registered within their residential areas.
“This is not a matter of going to the village to register because we want Igbo to run for elective offices wherever they reside. We believe that Ndigbo can win elections in any part of this country, especially in Lagos where they constitute more than 40 per cent of the population of the state. This gives us a clear advantage over other non-ethnic groups in the state. This is something that cannot be wished away by anyone.”
He said politicians seeking Igbo votes in the state must explain to Ndigbo how they would improve their welfare before canvassing for their votes, stressing that the people would only vote for political parties that demonstrated commitment to improve and promote Igbo welfare.