Ohaneze Ndigbo Youths in Anambra State looks to be in disarray over the zoning arrangement for the state helmsman job as the 2021 Governorship election in the state approaches.
The National Leader of Ohaneze Youths, Nze Uchenna Arthur Obiora had in a newspaper published earlier this month, said “Zoning is meaningless in ANAMBRA 2021”, as the Position and Resolution of the National Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide.
The comments by Obiora have been perceived by many as worrisome, not just because it was coming from him as the Igbo Youths Leader but mainly because he is from Anambra State and ought to have been aware of what the arrangement avails.
The Zoning agreement favours Anambra South Senatorial District to produce the next Governor of the state, other zones having taken their turns.
In a reaction to the statements by Obiorah, the Anambra State Ohaneze Youths Wing who spoke through its leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu dissociated the state Chapter from the position, saying Obiora does not speak nor represent them.
“Our attention has been drawn to the misguided utterances of Nze Uchenna Arthur Obiora published on The Daily SUN dated 12th February 2020, claiming that Zoning is meaningless in Anambra 2021. We the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing, Anambra State hereby emphatically express our dismay and displeasure over the ignorant statement of Nze Uchenna Arthur Obiora, and we deem it a necessity to set the records straight.
“Following the comprehensive and all-encompassing consultation of Ndi Anambra, and not limited to the Paramount Stakeholders; and the subsequent Unanimous Resolution of the General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Anambra State, the Council of Ndi Eze, and Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Anambra State led by the President- Chief Damian Afam Okeke Ogene (Mbuze Nanka) issued a World Press Conference on the 18th of July, 2017 in Awka, Anambra State, and stated that “ZONING IS SACROSANCT”, in order to promote UNITY, EQUITY AND FAIRNESS in Anambra State, especially on the election into of the Office of the Executive Governor of Anambra State and that it shall rotate amongst the three Zones that Constitute Anambra State, for a duration of 8 years per Zone i.e Two Terms of 4 years each per Zone, in order to curb rancor and enthrone equity in Anambra,” he said.
According to him, “From the Inception of a conscious and visible democracy in Anambra State (2003-2014), Anambra Central took her turn through the services of Sen. Dr. Chris N. Ngige and Mr. Peter Obi. From 2014-2022 is the duration for Chief Sir. Willie M. Obiano from Anambra North. In the spirit of equity and fairness, unity and peace, Anambra 2021 is equitably and fairly zoned to the Anambra South zone. Sequel to the above and in consonance with the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, we the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Anambra State hereby reaffirm that ZONING is SACROSANCT, and therefore urge Ndi Anambra, Igbo Youths, the Electoral Umpire and the Credible Political Parties in Anambra State to support this mantra, in order to enhance a better society, and consolidate the tenets of democracy and progress in Anambra State,” Okpalaezeukwu emphasized.
The state Ohaneze Youths disassociated itself from what it called ‘the misguided utterances of Nze Uchenna Arthur Obiora,’ saying he does not represent nor speak for them.
They demanded that the Ohaneze Youths leader rescind the statement, in order not to threaten or violate the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide.
“We are happy and healthy, for the good working relationship between the Leadership tiers of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide- National, State, Local Governments and Igbo Communities Worldwide, as boldly led by Chief John Nnia Nwodo and the National Executives. The nascent Igbo Unity and the Protection of lives and property of Ndigbo anywhere in the world are imperative and must be sustained at all cost,” they said.
