The leadership of the Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly has dissociated itself from a recent report by one Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, allegedly targeted at undermining the present board of the South East Development Commission, SEDC.
Nnabuike, who parades himself as the Life President of Ohanaeze Youth Council, had in the letter, purportedly called on President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the Board of the SEDC over unverified allegations.
In a statement on Tuesday, the leader of the apex Igbo youth leadership organ, the Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu clarified that Nnabuike does not represent any of the organs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, including its Youth Wing.
According to him, Nnabuike’s positions on issues are strictly his personal opinions and do not represent the position of Igbo youths at any level.
The Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly comprises critical Igbo leaders across all organisations in Ala Igbo, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, the Southeast chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Southeast chapter of the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) and other relevant youth bodies and major stakeholders across the Southeast.
Okpalaezeukwu revealed that the Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly has taken note of the ongoing debates with regards to the performance and challenges facing the management of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and is taking steps to address the concerns raised by both the Senate Committee on SEDC and the explanations given by the CEO/Managing Director, Mark Okoye.
“The Assembly has scheduled a convention in Awka, which hopes to discuss, among other things, the prevailing issues relating to the management and performance of the Commission.
“We shall continue to consult, consolidate, and if necessary, confront all critical stakeholders in the Southeast, nay Igbo land, towards guaranteeing that Igbo youths are not shortchanged in the distribution of resources meant for the development of our land.
“Igbo youths shall communicate our stance on the issue of SEDC leadership and performance and other critical issues affecting Igbo land’s development and progress after our Convention scheduled for the 18th and 19th of June, 2026, in Awka, Anambra State,” he said.
Okpalaezeukwu urged all Igbo youths to remain calm and stay alert, assuring them of a comprehensive review of all pending issues during the convention.
