By Chigozie Uzosike
The leading Labour Party gubernatorial aspirant, Maj. Gen. Lincoln Keonyemere Jack Ogunewe (Rtd) has urged Imo State electorate to come out en-masse on March 11 to vote for all Labour Party House of Assembly candidates.
Speaking to newsmen in Owerri, Imo State, Ogunewe expressed regrets at the level of thuggery and voter intimidation never witnessed in Imo State where our fathers, mothers, sons and daughters were harassed, beaten and chased away like criminals. He said that this is highly condemnable and negates the principles of democracy which is anchored on the freedom of choice to elect leaders and representatives of the people.
He therefore urged Imolites to come out once again and vote for Labour Party in the coming State House of Assembly elections on 11 March 2023. He stated that “this election is the battle for the soul of Imo State. Do not fear, do not be deterred in coming out to vote massively for Labour Party.”
He urged the military, police and other security agencies to remember that they swore to an oath to protect the lives and properties of Nigerians and urged them to live up to this constitutional duty. He further advised them that they should not only be impartial but must be seen as such.
Ogunewe emphasized that the military, police and other security agencies are in a better position to know a legal and illegal order and urged them to always obey legal orders in their line of duty.
He frowned at the level of violence perpetuated by politicians in the quest for political power wondering if it was motivated by the zeal to serve or loot. He said that once leaders see leadership as a burden and not an investment, violence, thuggery, manipulations will cease and the will of the people will be allowed to prevail in elections.
He appealed to Imolites to embrace peace, love and unity despite the odds, challenges and provocations. He asked “are we not one people, one race, one homogeneous entity and wondered why the hatred, killings and destructions?
He said that all these will end when the right caliber of leaders who place Imolites before self are elected.
