A Lagos lawmaker from Igbo extraction, Jude Idimogu, says if the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) does not allow the Anambra governorship election to hold, there will be anarchy.

“Let there be calm. If I’m IPOB leader, I will use the opportunity I am having to strategise for my people, hold the government of the eastern zone accountable and dictate for them what I want them to do for the people,” said Mr Idimogu. “Let us give peace a chance. Let all Anambra people allow the election to take place peacefully because if election does not take place, there will be anarchy which I don’t pray for. Even if we are agitating for something, we can use another means and methods.”

IPOB agitation in Anambra and other South-East states has been characterised by several killings and destruction of public facilities, including police stations and INEC offices, ahead of the state’s November 6 gubernatorial election.

Due to the activities of the pro-Biafra group, President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime has deployed massive security to the southeast, especially in Anambra, to ensure peace for the poll to hold.

Mr Idimogu, a two-term member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II, advised IPOB to change strategy and embrace dialogue.

According to him, the strategy of killing and disruption, being currently used, is not working and can neither help the southeast nor their agitations.

He urged IPOB not to resort “to killing our brothers and sisters no matter what.”

“So they should rethink and restrategise. If the strategy they are using is not working, they should have a rethink and restrategise,” said Mr Idimogu.

He described the current approach by IPOB to get Nigeria of their dream as not the best way, saying it will not help the southeast.

According to him, Igbos cannot achieve anything alone in the country but with collaboration with other regions.

On the massive deployment of security personnel to Anambra, Idimogu noted that no president would act otherwise considering the security situation in the state.

Mr Idimogu said Igbo youths should understand that they were killing businesses and livelihood in the region.

“We are not helping ourselves. There is a way out, and that is peace, peace, and peace. I appeal to my brothers there; let us give peace a chance.”

(NAN)