The Youths wing of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo worldwide have endorsed the presidential and vice presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the 2023 Presidential elections.
This endorsement was made during a Town Hall Meeting of her Maiden Edition of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo held in Orchid Hotel in Asaba on Thursday.
Speaking during the event, Mazi Livinus Obasi Onu, the leader of the youth said without a healthy and progressive Youth in the society there will be no progress and development, as his leadership is working round the clock to protect and promote the nascent Igbo unity and to ensure stability and security of Alaigbo in the South East.
He said “Today, Ala-Igbo bleeds, our economy is replating, Igbo Youths are on the edge, our women especially the younger ones are misguided, going against tradition, disrespecting norms and values that shaped us, and our supposed leaders/elders are either watching or very much complicit. These notwithstanding, the leadership of the Igbo Youths under me shall continue by all godly means to see that these values are restored.
“It is also our resolve as leaders that we cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results. It is on this note we are convinced that every Igbo man working hard for a better society irrespective of religion or political inclination deserves our support. “
Again he said “The General election is here, Ndigbo especially youths cannot afford to continue shying away from reality. It is our foremost responsibility to ensure a peaceful, credible, and successful process come February 25, 2022. We shall come out en-mass to attend our civic responsibility and ensure our efforts counts.”
He hereby urged the PDP Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa to ensure they reverse the challenges facing Ndi Igbo when they eventually emerge from the poll.
Gov Okowa while responding assured that Atiku Abubakar will dialogue with key stakeholders to release Nnamdi Kanu within the first 100 days of his administration. Adding that the elders of Igbo land have made the request and it means it was important to them.
Okowa said, “In 2015 when he emerged as governor, Delta was badly affected by the agitation in the Niger Delta but he sat them down and dialogued with them which has resulted in peace.”
“My administration had engaged many youths through skill acquisition and empowerment programs which had made many youths become successful entrepreneurs and job creators.
He said the Atiku-Okowa presidency will devolve more power to the states and local government, stating that they’ve already drafted a bill to amend the constitution for states to have their police force.
He also said the Atiku-Okowa presidency will provide more jobs to the teeming youths by setting aside of 10 billion dollars fund for MSMEs while commending the entrepreneurial spirit of the Igbo youths.
Also speaking is Prince Ned Nwoko, the Candidate for the Delta North Senatorial district who said Delta State is a PDP state and they are working earnestly hard to deliver all the candidates from the party.
Nwoko said that being elected as a Senator is one thing and being able to perform as a Senator in Anioma is another while saying that he doesn’t want to go to Abuja to be an opposition rather he wishes to be in the ruling party.
He further commented about the level of insecurity and killings in the country as he promise to introduce a bill for dialogue when he gets to the Senate. According to him, Boko Haram, IPOB, ESN, and other agitators are all fighting for territories and it will be good if they are allowed to be in the National Assembly for them to be heard.
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu and the Commissioner for Youths Development, Ifeanyi Egwunyenga were among others who were present during the event.
