Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Ohanaeze youths disagreed with Igbo leaders over their alleged endorsement of the Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 general elections without a concrete, written and sealed agreement of what he will do for Ndigbo.
IPOB in a statement released by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, described the endorsement of Atiku Abubakar by a few Igbo men that gathered in Enugu on Wednesday as “premature.”
According to the group, similar endorsements without any written, signed or sealed agreement has been going on for the past 40 years and there is nothing to show for it.
“This practice of endorsement of presidential candidates without any concrete binding agreement has been going on for 40 years with absolutely nothing to show for it. Politics has come to an end for IPOB members though.
“Those that once screamed, ‘no restructuring, no election’ to endear themselves to IPOB now seem to have been bought over with cash and promise of political appointments for their children.
“Such inconsistencies, lack of morally upright stance on critical issues pertaining to on our survival as a race, have over the years, led to the enslavement of our people for the enrichment of a few men and their families.”
The group said its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will discuss the endorsement while broadcasting on Radio Biafra on Saturday, November 17, 2018.
In a related development, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, In a statement issued in Abakaliki, declared that Ndigbo has not decided on any presidential candidate to cast their vote for in the 2019 general elections.
According to the Council, no few and outdated leaders in the political circle would mortgage the political future of Ndigbo. The statement reads:
“Ndigbo have not decided which direction to vote in 2019 and no outdated leader will mortgage the political future of Ndigbo.
“We shouted in the past that things were not done properly in the South East especially to the PDP chieftains but now, they’re heading the same way which is another political catastrophic mission which will be resisted by the youths and coalition of Igbo groups.
“Ndigbo will not be carried away by euphoria of vice presidential candidate. An additional state creation is better in the South East.
“We are calling on President Buhari to seek redress and appease Ndigbo before the years run out to regain the loss of confidence of Igbo youths, especially in terms of job creation and minimum wage issue.
“We believe Ndigbo will have a rethink if the federal government revamps Enugu coal mine, create jobs and create an additional state in the South East. With a new state, there will be more political space,with additional governor, three extra senators, 10 extra Federal Representatives, 24 extra House of assembly members, 20 extra LGA chairmen and many councillors. This is better than having the vice president.”
Also yesterday, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, described the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Atiku Abubakar by Igbo leaders as an insult on the people of the region, adding that Atiku has lost any sense of shame. Read the report HERE.
