Mbazulike Amechi calls for massive support for Atiku/Obi, says election boycott suicidal, counterproductive

Chief Mbazulike Amechi
Photo: @cfrmagazine

Elder Statesman and First Republic Aviation Minister, Dara Mbazulike Amechi has advised Ndigbo and all Nigerians to fully support The PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abukakar and his vice, Mr. Peter Obi to save Nigeria from total collapse.

Speaking during a world press conference in his country home, Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday, the octogenarian also urged the Indigenous People's of Biafra (IPOB) to not continue with their election boycott program, which, according to him, is counter-productive and suicidal.

Read full speech below:

“In the next few days, an election will be held throughout Nigeria for the President and Members of the National Assembly. The campaigns for the Presidential election have been characterized by so much bitterness and signs that signal grave danger for the country. The signs are not good at all.

“As the very last surviving nationalist, freedom fighter and Minister of the First Republic still alive, I feel compelled to say something and warn those who may be plotting to plunge the country into a major crisis that may threaten the very foundation of our Federation.

“Let me first begin with my own people, Ndi Igbo who have been marked out for the crudest manner of injustice and annihilation since the end of the civil war. They have been badly marginalized, exploited, denied of their rights in a federation that they played a major role in founding. Their youths have been killed for no just cause. The deprivation and injustice have led to the formation of youth activist bodies demanding to be allowed to withdraw from the unjust federation. One of such Youth activist bodies is the Indigenous People's of Biafra (IPOB), an unarmed, non violent youth organization asking to be allowed to return to Biafra. Instead of listening to them, the government released its Army in what they call Operation Python Dance to kill the unarmed youths.

“The IPOB is now calling on Ndigbo to boycott the Presidential and other elections. As a political father in Nigeria and Igboland, I had appealed to the youths of IPOB, in the interest of Igboland, not to pursue their election boycott programme. It is counter-productive and suicidal. I call on the Government to de-proscribe IPOB. It is primitive injustice to leave the gun bearing Fulani Herdsmen and their Jingle Comrades in Zamfara State alone and turn to kill the youths of IPOB because they are Igbo.

“Presidential Candidate Atiku Abukakar has repeatedly given a clear assurance that he would restructure our imbalanced federation. He has also taken our own Peter Obi as his running mate. I call on Ndigbo at home and everywhere in Nigeria to turn out totally and vote for the Atiku/Obi candidacy for the president. In the other elections, they can vote for their individual parties or conscience. Ndigbo should not mind a small band of mercenaries and Judases who went to Wuse Market Abuja, bought some Red Caps, adorned the caps and trouped to Ask Rock, spoke some sweet nonsense, received some greasy handshakes and sheepishly smiled home. They represent nobody but their treacherous selves.

“To the rest of fellow Nigerians, I say, brace up and defend Democracy and the Federation itself. There is grave danger ahead. Those who destroyed democracy in 1983 are up again to deprive you of your fundamental rights. They don't understand the language of democracy. From what they're doing to the judiciary and legislature, other two Arms of the government, you can imagine what will happen if for any error they're returned to Aso Rock. I call on the international community to help and expose the evil plans of a cabal who want to perpetuate themselves in power even if they lose the election as they are bound to.

“I speak the mind of the great nationalist like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, Abukakar Tafawa Belewa, Obafemi Awolowo, Dennis Osadebe, Amino Kano, M.I Okpara, Maitama Sule, S.L Akintola, Herbert Macaulay, Festus Okotie-Eboh, Nwafor Orizu, Joseph Tarka, Eyo Ita, Odeleye Fedahunsi, Muhammadu Ribadu, Zanna Bukar Dipchadima, Kola Balogun, Margaret Ekpo, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Hajyia Gambo Sawaba, Mary Nzimiro, Maggie Obinwe, Malam Umoru Altune, Bisi Onabanjo and others who have been silenced by death in pleading with Nigerian voters to vote into power, the rare gift of Atiku/Obi candidacy so that fraternal love and unity may return in a democratic united Nigeria. To do otherwise will be suicidal. Verbum Sat Serpiente.”