The candidates made these requests in their seven-point demands issued through a joint statement.
No fewer than 10 governorship candidates in the Anambra State election slated for November 6 have urged the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
They also implored the Nigerian government to withdraw its security agents from the South-East region ahead of the election, while urging IPOB to desist from any form of violence that could jeopardise the election, as well as the peace of the region.
The candidates made these requests in their seven-point demands issued through a joint statement signed by the contestants on Monday.
They includes; Godwin Maduka, All Blended Party; Ben Etiaba, Action Alliance; Akachukwu Nwankpo, African Democratic Congress; Andy Uba, All Progressive Congress; Charles Soludo, All Progressives Grand Alliance; Onyejegbu Okwudili, Allied Peoples Movement; Valentine Ozigbo, Peoples Democratic Party; Obinna Uzoh, Social Democratic Party; Ifeanyi Ubah, Young Progressives Party; and Obiora Okonkwo, Zenith Labour Party.
The coordinator of Igbo intellectual and think-tank group, Nzuko Umunna, Mr Ngozi Odumuko, made a copy of the statement made available to SaharaReporters on Tuesday night.
It read, “This joint statement is issued this 1st day of November 2021 by the undersigned candidates for the 2021 Anambra State Governorship Election.
“WHEREAS In response to the very grave concerns expressed, and appeal made, by The South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops, and in appreciation of the general anxiety arising from recent and continuing violence, in the South East geo- political zone of Nigeria, and Anambra State in particular.
“We the undersigned candidates in the forthcoming Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State commit to peaceful and violence-free conduct in the run-up to, during and after the election.
“BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS: THAT 1. We the candidates in the forthcoming Anambra State Governorship Election commit unequivocally to non-violence and the maintenance of peace throughout the duration of the election and beyond.
“2. We urge all our supporters and other stakeholders to commit fully to these ideals and refrain from any act that may imperil the election. 3. In order to eschew all acts that may torpedo the forthcoming election, we urge the Federal Government to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
“4. We urge the Federal Government to take urgent steps to demilitarise the South East Zone and stem the heightened tension, skirmishes and endless bloodletting between the security agencies and our youths.
“5. We assure our youths that we have heard your cries and that we feel your pain. We urge our youths to eschew violence and commit afresh to peace.
“6. Consistent with the above, we urge IPOB not to do anything that would hinder or be seen to be hindering the smooth running of the forthcoming Governorship Election in Anambra State and to cancel all scheduled sit-at-home orders, as these have already caused untold hardship for our people.
“7. We call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Armed Forces, other security agencies and all stakeholders to discharge their mandates in accordance with law and in a fair and just manner.”