The Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has condemned, in strongest terms, the alleged illegal removal of campaign billboards of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the Anambra Central senatorial candidate, Senator Victor Umeh, saying that the advert fees have been fully paid by the politicians.
The apex socio-political youth group in the South East said that the alleged illegal action by Governor Charles Soludo to remove campaign billboards of these candidates, because they are not in his political party, is unconstitutional and undemocratic, to say the least.
In a statement signed by the President General of the group, Goodluck Ibem, and
Publicity Secretary, Okey Nwaoru, COSEYL said it has given Soludo 48 hours to replace those billboards, which he illegally removed or face the wrath of youths.
According to the group, Obi and Umeh represent light, and no antics of anti-democratic forces will stop that light from shinning for the good of Nigerians.
They also said that members of the group have waited for days, hoping that the governor will correct such great dishonour against Ndigbo, but he has not done so.
The statement, which was made available to newsmen in Awka, yesterday, reads: “We know the reason Soludo is after Obi and Umeh is because they represent integrity, sincerity and transparency, which is at variance to what Soludo believes in.
“The actions of Soludo clearly shows that he ventured into politics because of his selfish desire. He is disturbed anytime he sees the billboards of these men of integrity and transparency.
“It is quite unfortunate that the only democracy dividends of the governor is to insult the sensibility of Ndigbo, and what they stand for. He is also at the opposing side of Igbo integrity, and always does the direct opposite of what he says.”
