The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide has distanced itself from a reported visit to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2023 presidential election, during which a pledge of support for his 2027 presidential bid was allegedly made.
In a press statement issued by its National Youth Leader, Damian Okafor, the organization clarified that the purported visit was not initiated by the youth wing.
Okafor alleged that the event was orchestrated by a few individuals falsely claiming to represent the group’s national leadership.
He emphasized that the organization is non-political, as reflected in its name, and has no involvement in political activities.
Okafor reiterated that the group’s primary mission is to advocate for the overall interests and complete emancipation of the Ndigbo region.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide is the apex Igbo youths sociocultural organisation in Igbo that has maintained the cultural value of Ndigbo in line with the laid down guidelines of operation as enshrined in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Constitution.
“We are apolitical and cannot be jumping from one politician to another looking for where we will be granted a courtesy visit and crumbs will be given to us. We have deep respect for our elders and we don’t go where they did not go, neither do we do what they did not do,” he stated.
Okafor emphasized that the group would not support a northerner for the presidency, pointing out that the northern region has already completed its eight-year tenure, while the southeast has yet to occupy the position since 1999.
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He criticized Atiku for being misled by individuals he labeled as impostors, alleging that they had been expelled from the organization due to their purported involvement in criminal activities.
“Someone as big as Atiku Abubakar should not be so desperate for power to the point of entertaining impostors in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide. He should have asked himself why a non-political organisation is promising him the exalted position of Nigerian President when it is the yearnings of Ndigbo to have their turn in the position and also the southern Nigeria haven’t finished their turn. He should have also put a call across to the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Amb. Okey Emuchay, who at the moment is the leader of the noble organisation, to clear him of anything he wants to know as regards the organisation, ” he articulated in the statement.
The national youth leader stated that individuals who visited the former vice president were no longer members of the organization, as they had been expelled for misusing the group’s name to defraud unsuspecting individuals and tarnishing the organization’s reputation.
“Our special appeal goes to the Director of DSS to please prevail on their Enugu command to act on the complaints before them. Other sister security agencies like the Inspector General of Police should also direct their Enugu State Command to act on the complaints before them. The governors of Southeast under the leadership of Hope Uzodinma should also act on the complaints before him to save Alaigbo. Treating these criminals with kid’s gloves will amount to raising another sect of non-state actors that will hold Alaigbo to ransom,” he further stated.
In the press statement, Okafor reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to upholding its core values as a socio-cultural entity. He also urged the general public to remain cautious of individuals falsely presenting themselves as national leaders of the group.
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