Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths World Wide Calls For Peaceful Election Exercise In Imo
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths World Wide ably led by the Acting National Youth Leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, has passionately appealed to millions of voters in Imo State to troop out enmasse and cast their votes to their preferred guber candidate on Saturday, November 11th 2023 Imo guber polls.
The group made the above call in Owerri on Thursday, November 9th 2023 at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Glasshouse.
According to them,”PRESS CONFERENCE BY IGBO YOUTH LEADERS AND STAKEHOLDERS DURING HER CONVENTION HELD IN OWERRI IMO STATE ON WEDNESDAY 8TH NOVEMBER, 2023.
This convention was attended by All Youth Leaders and Stakeholders of Igbo Extraction and not limited to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), among other Community Based Youth Organisations, and We resolved as follows:
- IMO ELECTION
We acknowledge the fact that Imo state is the only State in South East that is going for election this period, and we are very much concerned about the challenges that are usually associated with elections in Nigeria such as Violence, Malpractices, Insecurity which oftentimes affect the success of the election. On these notes we found it Incumbent on us, as critical stakeholders to take responsibility in order to ensure a Peaceful, Credible and Successful Election in Imo State on Saturday 11th November, 2023. We 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 we are exceptionally motivated by our 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.
We want to also use this medium to commend the INEC Chairman and Inspector General of Police and Heads of Other Security Agencies for the level of Preparedness and Resilience for a Peaceful, Credible and Successful Election in Imo State come Saturday 11th November 2023. However, We commend the Government of Imo State for the level playing ground provided for all Candidates, irrespective of party, during the campaign period; and that this singular act contributed immensely to the ranchor and violence free Campaign across the State. Jide nu ka unu ji. - NLC MATTER
We must not fail to condemn in totality the assault and attack on the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC-, Comr.Joe Ajaero, by some alleged Imo Unionists. This is unacceptable and totally defies the tenets of Democracy, we therefore call 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.
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.
- OHANAEZE YOUTHS NEVER REJECTED GOV. HOPE UZODIMMA OR ANY OTHER GOVERNOR OF THE SOUTHEAST.
Our attention has been drawn to the baseless and porpoted propaganda that have awashed the media which alleged that Ohanaeze Youths rejected His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma- Executive Governor of Imo State; 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- His Excellency Chief Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) OFR MFR CFR and High Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo(Ochendo Ndigbo)- Grand Patron Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide- Youth Wing; and they confirmed to us that all Stakeholders and Southeast Governors led His Excellency Sen. Hope 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 Commend and encourage them as we are solidly behind them.
Impersonation is a serious and criminal offense, and we hereby direct every Igbo Youth to apprehend these impostors anywhere they are found in Ala-Igbo, and handover to the nearest Police Station for lawful and necessary actions.
- We are inspired and motivated by the work plan of the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by His Excellency Chief Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba)MFR OFR CFR- 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 His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR 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.
We pray and believe God that Imo State Gubernatorial Election 2023 shall be Peaceful, Credible and Successful election on Saturday 11th November 2023.
May Alaigbo prevail.
e-Signed
- Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu
Ag. National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide - High Chief Johnbco Onunkwo(Ochndo Ndigbo)
Grand Patron Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ndigbo Worldwide- Youh wing - Comr. Innocent Nduanya
Deputy President, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN) - Comr. Chidi Nzekwe
Coordinator, NANS Zone F. - Mazi Wenceslaus Ogbonnia- Asst. National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
- Comr. Chidi Ilogebe- Fmr. NANS President
- Comr. Chika Nzelu – Chairman, NANS Stakeholders forum Southeast
- Mazi Imaga Eke Imaga – State Youth Leader.