Why IPOB Members May Support Ifeanyi Ubah In Anambra Gubernatorial Election

Anambra gubernatorial election will be holding in few weeks time and there have been so much tension in the state in preparation for the big day. One of the issues causing tension in the state is the operations of member of the Independent People Of Biafra (IPOB). Their operations have created fear and security threats across Anambra state.

Presently, most of the major aspirants are yet to hold a full-fledged election campaign because the few that held were attacked at the campaign ground. In the last few months, there have been killings in the South east zone of the country which members of IPOB have been said to be responsible. Since their agitations started with embattled Nnamdi Kanu as their leader, one thing they have always said is there will be no election in south east.

As the election gets closer, some of the candidates have been talking about Nnamdi Kanu who is currently in DSS custody awaiting judgment. Some days ago, Valentine Ozigbo of PDP and Ifeanyi Ubah of YPP spoke about his release and gave reasons why the IPOB leader should be released.

Ifeanyi Ubah especially went further to ask for court permission to visit Nnamdi Kanu in DSS custody. He was even in court yesterday during the trial of the IPOB leader though he wasn’t allowed to gain entrance into the court but he was able to identify with group.

With the way things are at the moment, IPOB has a very slim chance to stop the election because several security measures have been put in place by the Nigerian police and Nigerian army. The Inspector-general of police, Alkali Baba mentioned that 34,000 police officers will be deployed to Anambra for the election. President Buhari also gave a standing order yesterday that the election must hold on November 6 which was set for it. It’s obvious the Nigerian government is fully prepared for this election therefore, it will be difficult for any group to stop the election with the use of force.

Due to this development, members of IPOB may have to pitch their camp with a candidate in the election who has identified with the group with the hope that when he becomes governor of the state, he may help them secure the release of their leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Among the candidates, Ifeanyi Ubah is one person that has tried all his best to identify with members of the group even though it may be a strategy but at least, he showed concern for their leader. Considering this, Ifeanyi Ubah may be supported by the group to in the November 6 Anambra gubernatorial election.