north not to return to the east during the elections, unless such
movement was for the purpose of coming home to cast their votes.
Okorocha, who spoke against the call by the leader of the Niger Delta
Peoples Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari said
Igbos should not panic, assuring them that the elections would be
peace, free and fair.
However, he said such a movement could only become necessary if the
people are coming home to cast their votes.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday after attending a strategy
meeting between his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its
National Assembly candidates nationwide, the governor also dismissed
the insinuations that the party's presidential candidate, General
Mohammadu Buhari would pursue an Islamic agenda if he wins.
"It is uncalled for. There is no need for it. This election as far as
we are concerned will be peaceful. Nigeria and Nigerians are only
passing through a trial period in one of their political history. That
does not mean it will bring about crisis. I don't think so. Unless for
Igbos, who have registered at home. They should come home to vote. But
those who registered in the north should stay there," he said.
He dismissed the idea of islamising the country propagated by the
ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that he accused of dividing
Nigerians along ethnic and religious lines.
"Again, this is one of the things we have been complaining about.
Since the advent of the PDP, this nation has been polarised between
Muslims and Christians. And that is the most dangerous point PDP has
introduced in the Nigerian politics.
"Before now, you don't even know where you come from, who is who. We
were all one. Because when PDP decided to go to church, religious
houses, they polarised the polity. That's why the only thing they have
to say about General Buhari is that he will make the whole Christians
become Muslims overnight.
"General was once the Head of State with (Tunde) Idiagbon, very
powerful then. With Decree in their hands, they could not Islamise
anybody. Is it now we have the National Assembly and state Houses of
Assembly they will do that? It is not possible. This is cheap politics
by the PDP and that's what is creating the tension. Nigerians love
themselves. They are not haters of themselves and this campaign of
hate introduced by the PDP is also very worrisome.
"But what is before us now is more than the sentiments of tribe and
religion. What is before us now is what can we do urgently to fix
Nigeria? What can we do to guarantee food on the table of the common
man and make sure that our teeming youths have some jobs? That is the
issue we are talking about."
On the chances of Buhari in the South-east, Okorocha said that APC was
gaining ground and acceleration in its bid to woo voters in the zone.
"It is very true that the entire north has collapsed for APC. The
Syouth-west too.
The South-east and South-south are coming up very strong. So, it is a
wind of change. I think it is just beyond the party called APC. It is
just that Nigerians are tired and want a change no matter what.
"And it is understandable considering the Nigerian economy,
insecurity, the hunger in the land, the apparent poverty,
unemployment, lack of power supply. With all these, they are calling
for a change. They are not looking at it as APC. They just want
change. That is what is happening," he said.
On the issue of the call for APC presidential candidate to heed the
call for a debate, Okorocha said that Buhari would only oblige the
call once a level playing ground was assured.
"You see, once beaten, twice shy. And if you think you will go to a
place where you will not get justice, you might want to try another
place. So, what I think is so long as APC as a party believes in the
composition of this body, I think our presidential candidate will go
for it. Buhari is an intelligent man, very articulate and so, he's
equal to the task.
"What we have been asking for, be it from the government or INEC, is
give us a level playing ground. I think that is the major thing APC
has been asking for. APC is not asking for any special favour but a
level playing ground for everybody to participate. That's what we are
asking for. I have not spoken with the presidential candidate. But I
know this is one of the reasons he cannot appear for that debate", he
said.
--ThisdayLive
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