*Condemns attack on Ajaero
*Urges Tinubu to redress S/East marginalization
The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has condemned the recent assault on Comrade Joe Ajaero, the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) by suspected political thugs.
Opposition parties in the state have alleged that the thugs were working for the Imo State Government, which the state government has denied.
Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, the acting National Youth Leader of the apex sociocultural organization made their decisions public on Thursday while addressing the press shortly after their convention.
The convention involved Igbo youth leaders and stakeholders and it held at Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Glass House office complex, Ugwu Orji, Owerri, Imo State.
Chief Iwuanyanwu is the President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
According to Okpalaezeukwu “we must not fail to condemn in totality, the assault and attack on the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr. 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, Joe Ajaero and the entire leadership of NLC. 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” he stated.
On the issue of alleged rejection of Gov. Hope Uzodimma by the group, the leader of the Youth Wing, Mazi Okpalaezeukwu, described the allegation as false, inconsequential and unfounded urging the general public to disregard the rumour.
Okpalaezeukwu insisted that they are being inspired and motivated by the work plan of the National Executive Committee, NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba) as President-General on the restoration of peace, stability and economic viability in South-East, especially on the adoption of non-kinetic approaches to the hydra headed security challenges in zone.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing President passionately advised Ndigbo and Nigerians in South East to ignore the call to sit at home by one Simon Ekpa who they said resides in Finland, issuing unsolicited directives.
According to him, “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 have 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 to 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 South East Nigeria” he demanded
Among the eminent youth leaders and organisations that participated in the press briefing are Comrade Innocent Nduanya,
Deputy President, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Comrade Chidi Nzekwe
Coordinator, NANS Zone F and Mazi Wenceslaus Ogbonnia- Asst. National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Others include Comrade Chidi Ilogebe- Fmr. NANS President ,Comrade Chika Nzelu – Chairman, NANS Stakeholders forum Southeast and Mazi Imaga Eke Imaga – State Youth Leader
On forthcoming coming governorship election in Imo State, High Chief John Bosco Onunkwo, the Grand Patron of the group said that they acknowledge the fact that Imo state is the only State in South East that is going for election this period.
Onunkwo pointed out that the group is 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.
He noted that as critical stakeholders, it is incumbent on them to take responsibility in order to ensure a peaceful, credible and successful election the State come Saturday 11th November, 2023.
The Ambassador of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths world wide revealed that they have approached all relevant stakeholders such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, traditional and religious Leaders as well as youths in order to ascertain their level of preparedness and readiness.
According to the business icon, “we are exceptionally motivated by our encounter with them. We are confident to announce to Nigerians that the electoral umpire INEC, with over 21,000 staff deployed, plus about nine INEC National Commissioners, is squarely ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election that will be devoid of unnecessary delay and confusion.
He further informed that the group through its indigenous and widespread structures, has sensitized the people especially the Youths to come out en-masse and peacefully conduct themselves while discharging their civic responsibility.
Onunkwo also disclosed that as accredited observers, they have setup control room in Owerri from where they would monitor the exercise and collate intelligence from all the 305 wards in the State.
He commended the Government of Imo State for the level playing ground provided for all candidates, irrespective of party, during the campaign period; stating that this singular act contributed immensely to the ranchor and violence free Campaign across the State.
On the issue of rejection of Governor Hope Uzodimma by the group, the leader of the Youth Wing, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, described the allegation as false, inconsequential and unfounded urging d the general public to disregard rumour.
Okpalaezeukwu insisted that they are being inspired and motivated by the work plan of the National Executive Committee, NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba) 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 South East.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing President passionately advised Ndigbo and Nigerians in South East to ignore the call to sit at home by one Simon Ekpa who they said resides in Finland, issuing unsolicited directives.
According to him, “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 have 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 to 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 South East Nigeria” he demanded
Among the eminent youth leaders and organisations that participated in the press briefing are Comrade Innocent Nduanya,
Deputy President, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), Comrade Chidi Nzekwe
Coordinator, NANS Zone F and Mazi Wenceslaus Ogbonnia- Asst. National Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Others include Comrade Chidi Ilogebe- Fmr. NANS President ,Comrade Chika Nzelu – Chairman, NANS Stakeholders forum Southeast and Mazi Imaga Eke Imaga – State Youth Leader
