The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned Biafra agitators against calling for the boycott of Anambra State governorship election in November.

The Presidential-General of the group, John Nnia Nwodo gave the caution yesterday while addressing members of the Anambra State House of Assembly in Awka.

According to him, leaders of groups who are championing the cause for Igbo self-rule must not arrogate to themselves the supreme leadership of Igboland.

He condemned the statement credited to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, calling for the boycott of the election.

Nwodo, who led other national leaders of Ohanaeze to the assembly, said such statements were provocative, misleading and unproductive.

He asked why Anambra people should be denied the opportunity to choose their own leaders.

“I hereby countermand that declaration as President General of Ohanaeze. Why should any of us who is not from Anambra, no matter how highly placed, descend to the arena and dictate for Anambra people when to vote, whether to vote or who to vote for?” he asked.

• Excerpted from a Guardian report