The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths World Wide has passionately appealed to millions of voters in Imo State to troop out enmasse and cast their votes for their preferred governorship candidates during the Saturday, November 11 guber polls.
The group made the call in Owerri on Thursday, at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Glasshouse, after a a convention of Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders.
Among the Youth Leaders and Stakeholders of Igbo Extraction that graced the convention were those from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), among other Community Based Youth Organisations.
At the convention, critical issues affecting the Southeast and the nation were discussed including the upcoming Imo Governorship Election, labour issues among others.
In a communique issued at the end of the convention and signed by the youth leaders and stakeholders, the youths said it has become incumbent on them as critical stakeholders, to take responsibility in order to ensure a Peaceful, Credible and Successful Election in Imo State on Saturday 11th November, 2023.
They revealed that they have approached all relevant stakeholders such as INEC, Security Agencies, Political Parties, Traditional and Religious Leaders as well as Youths in order to ascertain their level of preparedness and readiness respectively and are motivated by their encounter with them.
“We are confident to announce to you that the electoral umpire INEC, with over 21,000 Staff deployed plus about 9(nine) National Commissioners, is squarely ready to conduct a Free and Fair elections that will be devoid of unnecessary delay and confusion.
“According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC), accreditation will be done electronically and results uploaded in real time.
“The Security Agencies have assured us of adequate and absolute Security across the State. They further emphasized on their determination to diligently and professionally discharge their duties without any form of intimidation or high handedness to the electorates, especially Youths.
“The Political Parties, through their Candidates, have signed Peace Accord and have demonstrated sportsmanship through out the Campaign period.
“Sequel to the above, we the Igbo Youths, through our indigenous and widespread structures, have sensitized our people especially the Youths to come out enmasse and Peacefully conduct themselves while discharging their civic responsibility.
“As accredited observers, we have also setup control room, here in Owerri, from where we shall monitor the exercise and collate intelligence from all the 305 wards in Imo State.
“We must admonish the recruited adhoc staff of INEC especially the collation and returning Officers, who are the field Soldiers to conduct themselves properly,” the youths said.
On the assault and attack on the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comr. Joe Ajaero, by some alleged Imo Unionists, the Igbo youths described it as unacceptable and an act that totally defies the tenets of democracy.
They called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book to deter such barbarism, rather than let it to be swept under the carpet.
The Communique read; “We commiserate with our brother and friend Comr. Joe Ajaero, and the entire leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress.
“We humbly appeal to NLC, to reconsider the threat for a National action starting from 14th November 2023, and to sheath their Sword as the innocent Nigerians are at the receiving end.
“However Justified and Lawful this action might be, we are very much concerned about the adverse effect on our fragile Society and the unhealthy Economy.”
The Communique further debunked as a baseless propaganda, reports making the round on the media, alleging that Ohanaeze Youths rejected Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State.
They said; “We therefore state categorically that this allegation is False, Inconsequential and Unfounded; thus should be discarded by the General Public.
“May we use this opportunity to tell Ndigbo and Nigerians that Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu is the authentic National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; and we also learnt about another allegation that some Stakeholders and Governors of Southeast are blocking the release of our Brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“This is fallacy from the pit of hell and has no iota of truth in it.
“Firstly, we have consulted Igbo Businessmen and other paramount stakeholder, especially the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and High Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, Grand Patron Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Youth Wing; and they confirmed to us that all Stakeholders and Southeast Governors led by Gov Uzodimma of Imo State, are working in Unism for the immediate and Unconditional release of our dear Brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and other youths that might have been unduly detained.
“We are inspired and motivated by the work plan of the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Iwuanyanwu as President General on the restoration of Peace, Stability and Economic viability in Southeast, especially on the adoption of Non-kinetic approaches to the hydra headed Security challenges in SoutEast.
“We share in this view and totally align ourselves to it. On this note, we shall project an all encompassing Igbo Youth Peace and Security Summit that shall be based on Engagement, Rehabilitation, Reformation and Reintegration of our Youths especially the bad and ugly.
“We call on Ndigbo and Nigerians in South East to ignore the call to sit at home by one Simon Ekpa who reside in Finland, issuing unsolicited directives.
“We also want to send a strong warning to him and his cohorts as we are mindful of the threats, and therefore admonish them to desist from such incitement and other barbaric utterances that has contributed to the Security challenges we encounter in South East Nigeria.
“In conclusion, we call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to give ears and empathy the numerous injustices meted against the South East ranging from Ministerial appointments, Southeast Development Commission Bill, and the 3Rs on which the civil war was resolved.
“These considerations shall dive deep into resolving the issues of both agitation and unrest in SouthEast Nigeria.”
The Communique was signed by Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the acting National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; High Chief Johnbco Onunkwo, the Grand Patron Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ndigbo Worldwide, Youth wing; Comr. Innocent Nduanya, Deputy President, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN) and Comr. Chidi Nzekwe, Coordinator, NANS Zone F.
Others include Mazi Wenceslaus Ogbonnia, Asst. National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide; Comr. Chidi Ilogebe, former NANS President, Comr. Chika Nzelu, Chairman, NANS Stakeholders forum Southeast and Mazi Imaga Eke Imaga, the State Youth Leader.
