The South-East Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has explained why it shifted the campaign schedules in the region for its candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
News360 info recalls that the ruling party had earlier scheduled campaigns in Anambra and Imo States for Mondays but subsequently announced a reschedule of the events.
There were submissions that Tinubu’s PCC adjusted the dates of campaign programmes in the region because it was running away from the Sit-at Home practice in the areas.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the campaign council explained that the events were rescheduled because it was avoiding getting into loggerheads with any group or persons whose choices, according to them are meant to be respected.
APC explained further that it adjusted its timetable in recognition of the preparation for the coming yuletide season, which the people of the southeast and other parts of Nigeria hold dear to their hearts and religion.
It faulted those ascribing the Monday sit-at-home to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or other groups, saying such was unnecessary as all the agitating groups in the region had washed their hands off from the practice by some people.
According to the PCC, people’s choices must be respected since what the presidential candidate was selling is his manifesto, policies and programmes for the entire Nigerians when elected as the next president of Nigeria.
The campaign team stated that one of Tinubu’s programmes was the rail system which it said had drawn the attention of a group such as IPOB with its condemnation of the alleged removal of rail tracks in the zone, maintaining that rail network between east and western parts of Nigeria are among programmes dear to Tinubu’s government when elected and would partner with progressive-minded groups in the development of Nigeria.
IPOB Has No Confrontation With Tinubu’s Campaign Programmes In South-East
The spokesman of the campaign council in the southeast, Dr Josef Onoh, reiterated in the statement that the change in the timetable was not out of fear for IPOB which he noted has not had any record of confrontation against the Asiwaju campaign programmes in the southeast.
He noted that major investments of the southeast people were domiciled in the southwest, making both geopolitical zone partners in progress. He, therefore, said that since IPOB had since distanced itself from the Monday sit-at-home exercises, it amounts to personal vendetta for anybody or group to lock the horns of the Tinubu campaign council with IPOB.
Onoh said that infrastructure and industries are what the South-East needs, noting that one of the vectors of the current youth restiveness in the area was the lack of jobs.
“South-East youths are industrious, with bountiful energy for innovation. The relaunching of the South-East as an industrial hub will eviscerate the army of discontents. And the proper channelling of this “youth energy” will result in an unprecedented boost in the citizenry’s quality of life.
“I believe the South-East agenda should be on infrastructure and industries, which Asiwaju has presented an actionable plan to this effect. His plan for the South-East is devoid of ambiguity and political chicanery. I suggest the South-East toe the path and hold him by the document.
“The southeast should work hard at overcoming sentimental, ethnic and emotional politics; they should understand the benefits of political diversity, equity, and inclusion in government, which will lead to an overall increase of political efficacy in the region. Their Political and civic participation comes in 2023 and will lead to meaningful social change, further stabilizing our democratic processes. Hence this is our opportunity to create a diverse political portfolio of support. In other words, the south east shouldn’t put all their eggs in one basket,”
“It’s sad that fifth columnists have politicized and are using IPOB to promote the unrest in the southeast being perpetuated by terrorists and criminals that go about in whatever guise. The southeast timetable adjustment was for the Nigerian people to prepare ahead of the yuletide festive season, after which the campaigns will go into full steam. None of our 17- member manifesto sensitisation team per state going around in the various local government areas in Abia, Enugu and Anambra state has been molested by IPOB. So those dropping IPOB’s name are criminal elements with personal agenda,” the PCC statement reads.
Onoh admonished the people of the south east focus on the potentials which the Asiwaju programmes will bring to the region, such as the economic potential of the south-east-south west railway initiative, stating that Tinubu will consolidate of the existing railway achievements of the present administration to ensure that there will be a rail connection between the south-east and the south-west.
