The Obi-in-Council of Onitsha has declared that the ancient kingdom will not endorse or support the incumbent Gov. Chukwuma Soludo or any particular candidate in the Nov. 8 Anambra state governorship election.
The Council, in statement by Chief Osita Anionwu, the Ike Akatakwuani Onicha, said that the commercial city remained politically neutral as a community and will not be drawn into partisan alignments.
The decision of the Council to withdraw its support for Gov. Soludo may not be unconnected to the frosty relationship between the Obi of Onitsha and the incumbent governor which forced the first class monarch to relinquish his position as the chairman of Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, presently occupied by the traditional ruler of Obosi, Eze Iweka III, Igwe Chidubem Iweka.
Consequently, the official statement released by the council clarified that while Onitsha indigenes, like all Nigerians, have the constitutional right to freely associate with and support any political party or candidate of their choice, such participation must be strictly in their individual capacities.
“Some Onitsha indigenes, including chiefs and leaders of constituent groups, have been invited to attend campaign rallies.
“It must be clearly understood that they do so as private citizens, not as representatives of the community,” it adddd.
Reiterating its stance on neutrality, the Council stated that Onitsha’s overriding priority remains communal peace and cohesion.
It stressed that all constituent groups within the kingdom are politically non-partisan but will continue to cooperate with duly elected governments at all levels.
“As Nigeria is a multi-party, plural constitutional democracy, every citizen has the inalienable right to belong to, attend rallies, and canvass for any political party of his or her choice without coercion or force.
“Onitsha indigenes are mindful of their constitutional rights and belong to various political parties of their own free will.
“However, for communal cohesion and well-being, all Onitsha constituent groups are, of necessity, politically non-partisan, but rather support and cooperate with duly elected leaderships at all levels of government.”
The Council further noted that ahead of the Anambra governorship poll, some Onitsha indigenes, including chiefs and leaders of constituent groups, have been invited to attend political campaign rallies.
“It must be clearly understood that such individuals participate in these activities in their private capacity and not as representatives or leaders of their constituent groups, as they have no mandate to do so,” it emphasized.
The Obi-in-Council urged all eligible voters in Onitsha to actively participate in the electoral process by registering and voting for candidates of their choice without fear or intimidation.
“Every Onitsha indigene and resident should freely exercise their civic rights. The Obi-in-Council stands for unity, fairness, and orderliness during the election,” the statement said.
The Council also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure a peaceful, transparent, and credible election in the state.
