The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Okechukwu Isiguzoro

  • Ohaneze laments huge number of uncollected PVCs in Southeast

    The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide on Friday urged registered voters in the southeast to collect their Permanent Voters cards (PVCs). It lamented the huge number of uncollected PVCs across the southeast and other parts of the country where Igbo reside, noting that this will undermine their voting strength.

    OYC National President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, after their meetings in Abakaliki, made the call in a statement. OYC urged all the Igbo across the 36 states and Abuja to collect their PVCs to enable them vote for candidates of their choice in the election.

    “The OYC General Assembly observed that prior to 2015 elections when the All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled states in the southwest, it deliberately disenfranchised Igbo by denying them access to their PVCs, even after a few Igbo had won some House of Representatives seats in Lagos.

    Isiguzoro disclosed that the group had mandated its 31 states chairmen, which excludes the five core southeast states to mobilise Igbo outside the southeast to collect their PVCs.

    Ohanaeze also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to extend the deadline for the collection of PVCs till January ending to enable those who travelled or registered in their hometowns to freely collect their cards.

    The group further implored the southeast governors, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Muslim community, religious leaders, southeast town unions, and student union leaders, especially from Zone B, traditional rulers, market unions, and Biafra agitators to mobilise for the collection of voters cards.

  • Ohanaeze, others flay IPOB attacks on Ikpeazu, Umahi

    Ohanaeze Youth Council and a coalition of Igbo groups on Monday condemned the verbal attacks on governors of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi by members of the opposition parties and the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

    IPOB leader, Nnamdi KANU, had said in his recent broadcast that Abia and Ebonyi people should vote out Ikpeazu and Umah, claiming that they are sabotaging their agitation.

    The groups described their actions as unacceptable and laughable.

    National President of OYC, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, after their meetings in Abakaliki, said Kanu has derailed from his Biafra agitation and should not be listened to.

    He urged Kanu to concentrate on the no-election campaign and leave Ikpeazu and Umahi alone to concentrate on their quest to reposition their different states.

    In a statement, he said: “The coalition of Igbo groups; namely World Igbo Youth Congress, Southeast Women Professionals and Igbo Students Movement had met with the Forum of BibeingaAgitators and resolved that the attack was laughable.

    “It is laughable that Kanu is derailing from his Biafra agitation and now being sponsored by politicians to cause confusion and pursuing campaign of calumny against those who mean well for him.”

    The coalition expressed concern at the outburst, asking why the IPOB members did not register to obtain their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), despite that they were advised to do so.

    Read Also: Stronger, more focused Ohanaeze Ndigbo emerging, says Nwodo

    Isiguzoro urged the IPOB to emulate the maturity and non-violence approach of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), led by Uchenna Madu.

    It lauded the group, which had expressed willingness to allow INEC to conduct election in the southeast, and also ensure that there is no bloodshed during the ongoing Operation Python Dance111.

    On Adams Oshiomhole’s allegations that Ikpeazu has been collecting bailout funds without paying salaries, it said: “We are shocked because our members who are Abia workers are paid as at when due, while no Abia or Ebonyi worker is being owed.”

    “We unanimously state that zoning formula favours Ikpeazu and Umahi. The opposition parties in Abia and Ebonyi know that their candidates cannot win in these states, because there are no vacancies to be filled in the two Government Houses till 2023.”

  • 2019: Igbo groups vow to resist vote buying in Southeast

    The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide and a coalition of other Igbo groups have vowed to resist any attempt at vote buying  in the 2019 general elections in the zone.

    Other members of the coalition include Southeast Women Professionals, World Igbo Youth Congress and Igbo Students Movement.

    The President and Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council, Messrs Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Obinna Achionye, respectively, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abakaliki, indicated the plan of the coalition.

    It said the coalition members had vowed to mobilize the entire Southeast zone and Igbos in other regions to resist attempts by political elite to sell Igbo votes.

    They warned the electorate in the Southeast against falling prey to desperate politicians that would come to deceive them with frivolous promises, cash and other material gifts with intent to get them to sell their votes.

    “We call on Igbo youths, progressives, leaders and agitators to rise up and defend the traditions, values and culture of our people, as we will fight against those whose interests are to sell Igbo votes to the highest bidder, especially in the presidential election,” the statement read in part.

    Read Also: Ndigbo celebrate new yam in Abuja

    The members of the coalition also frowned at the recently concluded Igbo Day celebration held in Owerri, pointing out that holding Igbo Day on a day apart from Sept. 29 was  “uncultural” to Ndigbo.

    They distanced themselves from the celebration, saying the anniversary could best be described as Imo Day and not Igbo Day.

    “Based on Ohaneeze constitution, Igbo Day celebration holds Sept. 29 every year,” the statement said.

    It said that the apex decision-making organ in Ohaneze, known as Imeobi, never approved the congregation of people that met in Owerri.

    “On this note, Ohanaeze youths and the affiliate coalition have distanced themselves from the Owerri event and we warn against setting a bad precedent by holding Igbo Day on a day other than Sept. 29,” the group said.

    They appealed to the APC-led Federal government to address infrastructure deficit in the zone as well as create viable investment climate for businesses to thrive.

    NAN

  • Ohaneze warns PDP against denying South-East VP ticket

    The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council on Thursday re-iterated its earlier warning to the people’s Democratic Party (PDP) that it risks losing the support of the South East if it fails to zone the Vice presidency to the South East zone.

    The group stated this in Abakaliki after its meeting.

    The meeting chaired by its President, Okechukwu Isiguzoro met and discussed extensively issues affecting Ndigbo especially as  regards the 2019 general elections.

    The statement signed by Obinna Achionye and  Alex Okemiri, Deputy Vice President General  National Vice President (Ebonyi state) respectively of the group, accused the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, of tactically avoiding the issue.

    It warned that the party may loose the elections if it fails to do the right thing.

    The group further asked the party to select any of the governors in the South East or Mr Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state for the Vice presidential ticket.

    It warned that it will mobile the youths of the zone for All Progressive Congress (APC) if the party gives the Vice Presidential ticket to anyone outside the zone.

    The statement reads: “OYC insists that the leadership of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) led by Prince Uche Secondus is planning to deny Igbos the Vice Presidential slot when the party holds her Presidential Primaries early October 2018 in Port Harcourt Rivers state”.

    Read Also: Ohaneze: Nigeria may not survive without restructuring

    “Prince Uche Secondus had tactically avoided addressing the issue of denying south East the position of Vice President after the upcoming Presidential Primaries,because of the fear of the cabal that insists that South West Vice Presidency is better than Southeast Vice President because of reasons best known to them”.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide will mobilize Igbo Youths to vote massively for PDP in Governorship and Senatorial elections in Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu states come 2019 but if PDP led by Prince Uche Secondus deny Igbo Vice Presidential slot, will vote massively for another party in 2019 Presidential election”.

    “PDP should choose among the Vice President among the three serving Governors in South East, or choose former Governor Peter Obi who is a better Presidential material with steeling leadership qualities and excellent track records of Achievement as former Governor Anambra and Chairman of then South East Governors for 8 years,widely acceptable among Nigerians, we believe that the Serving South East Governors are more interested in going for their Second Tenures in their various States, so Mr Peter Obi remained the better option for PDP winning the 2019 Election”.

    “This is our Final Warning to PDP regards to the 2019 Presidential election,any attempt to zone Vice President to another Zone after the Primaries, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide will mobilise Igbo Youths for APC where we have nothing to lose. PDP make hay now the Sun shines”.

    Meanwhile, the group have thanked Ndigbo for defying the Sit at home order of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, on 14th September 2018

    The group said the people by their actions have avoided another bloodshed by defying the order  to Sit at home.

    “We observed across Igbo land that majority of Ndigbo because of economic hardship defy the order of Sit at home but rather joined the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide in the Prayer sessions in remembrance of those killed in September 14th 2017”.

    “This is a Victory to all Igbos for avoiding another bloodshed by defying the order not to Sit at home, those who had plotted to use the opportunity to massacre innocent unarmed Biafrans, had waited in vain as Ndigbo is wiser not to Fall victims of our oppressors”.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council will continue to protect Ndigbo in every situation, and thank the people for their co-operation in ensuring that Igbo land was peaceful during the September 14th Sit at home.

  • Ohanaeze youths task FG on erosion, road challenges in Abia, Ebonyi

    The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide led by Okechukwu Isiguzoro has called on the Federal Government to complement the efforts of  Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi in addressing key challenges facing the states.

    The group lauded the two governors for their commitment to the development of their states despite paucity of funds at their disposal.

    In a statement signed by the Deputy President General, Comrade Obinna Achuonye, the group expressed satisfaction with the performances of the governors, adding: “The states have witnessed massive infrastructural facelifts in Abia and Abakiliki. We urge  federal government to compliment the efforts of these two governors in the area of erosion control in Isuikwuato and Abakiliki/Ugep road,which is a death trap for motorists.

    “We applaud the mutual co-operation between President Buhari and these two governors, especially with high regards to ensuring that the South East get their fair share from the projects and economic programmes of President Buhari.

    “Dr Ikpeazu will win in the next polls based on his humility and peaceful disposition and made in Aba products which had restored confidence in local traders and artisans to compete favourably in African markets and world markets. Governor Umahi remains an embodiment of unity among Igbos, His approach to governance in Ebonyi is unprecedented. We advise the federal government to explore this relationship between President Buhari and governors Ikpeazu and Umahi for mutual development.

    “Abians and Ebonyians will be behind their governors in 2019,And let nobody be decieved  that they’re in charge of South East, the Igbo youths will only listen to these two governors as regards to where Ndigbo will vote in 2019. There’s no alternatives to these two governors in Abia and Ebonyi states. We say no vacancy in Abia and Ebonyi government houses.

     

  • Ohaneze youth wing does not exist – Attamah

    Ohaneze Ndigbo has called on Nigerians to disregard statements by one Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Okwu Nnabuike claiming to be president and secretary of the youth wing of the association.

    The special adviser to the President-General of Ohaneze, Chief Emeka Attamah, in a release in Enugu dismissed a claim by the two that they were officials of Ohaneze  youth wing.

    Attamah said the group would not join issues with the two men but needed to clear some misrepresentations that they made.

    He said the men, in search of cheap popularity, cast aspersions on the person of the President- General, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

    Attamah said that the youth wing of Ohaneze Ndigbo was dissolved in 2016 by Ime-Obi led National Executive Council, while the tenure of the women wing expired in 2017.

    He said the so-called youth wing executive did not exist as the new executives for both the youth and women wings would soon be elected.

    He said the National Executive of Ohaneze Ndigbo existed at the instance of the General Assembly, which had demonstrated confidence on the executive committee led by Nwodo.

    Attamah added that Nwodo had continued to enjoy the confidence of the National Executive Council of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    He said the president-general was the only member among the executive prohibited by the constitution from participating in party politics.

    He said it was preposterous to imagine that Nwodo could romance with any political aspirant, let alone determine his choice of a running mate.

    Attamah said that associating Nwodo with politics could only be the handiwork of some politicians.

    NAN