The Chairman of the Southeast Governors' Forum, Engr David Umahi, has urged the people of the region to disregard the declaration by the faction of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), to disrupt the forthcoming polls in the area.
It could be recalled that a faction of the IPOB members led by one Simon Ekpa had declared a sit-at-home order in the upcoming election week in every state of the Southeast region of Nigeria.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State.
But Umahi, the Governor of Ebonyi State on Sunday, called on the people and stakeholders of the Southeast to speak up against the calls for disruption of the forthcoming general elections in the Zone.
He made the call during a Church Service to mark the end of a weeklong fasting and praying for peaceful elections held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, Sunday.
In a press release issued by Governor Umahi's Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Chooks Okoh, he appealed to the people especially the youths not to engage in acts that would further threaten the fragile peace in the Zone going into the elections.
"My pleading to the people of the South East is to talk to their Children, the election must hold and hold peacefully in Jesus' name, amen."
The Governor enjoined the people of the State and Southeast to intensify prayers to ensure peaceful and credible general elections.
"We have every reason to thank God in all honesty and sincerity, every Ebonyi man has every reason to thank God for what he has done for us in Ebonyi State.
"The Nation Nigeria is waiting for this Nazareth called Ebonyi."
The Governor also announced the commencement of the distribution of various categories of palliatives to the people of the State as a way to mitigate their sufferings amidst the difficulties associated with the cash swap in Nigeria.
He directed security Agencies to arrest POS operators who charge exorbitantly for their services to the people to checkmate human-induced hardship on the people.
Governor Umahi also charged the people to reason above clannishness and ethnic sentiments in their choice of candidates going into the general elections to re-engineer the country.
"I have done the will of God by standing on the footing of justice, equity and fairness, I have nothing to fear.
"There is no way clannishness can help us to grow, listen to God, and do his will otherwise God will take that leadership from you.
"He that hates his brother is a murderer and no murderer will inherit the kingdom of God".
Earlier in a sermon, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, South East Zone, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali admonished the political class to play the game of politics with a human face in order not to further threaten the peace of the Nation.
"We are limited because no one knows the political situation of tomorrow because the system is slippery.
"The insecurity has gone beyond our expectation, it is beyond man, no one has respect for God, neither has anyone respect and love for man.
"The miracle of deliverance is that of all those aspiring to govern this country, only God knows their hearts and only he will ordain who is the best for Nigeria in Jesus' name, amen.
"We are praying for peace, it is the greatest gift to humanity, where there is peace, there is development, where there is peace, there is understanding."
There were prayers for peaceful elections in Ebonyi State and Nigeria as a whole.
