The youth wing of the apex lgbo socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council (OYC) has cautioned Ndigbo that Mike Okiro‘s candidacy as president general of the organisation will roll back the progress recorded in uniting all Igbo ethnic groups in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by lgboayaka Igboayaka, national president general of the OYC and Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, the national secretary, respectively.
The Ohanaeze youth wing argued that Okiro hails from Ogwumankwu village, Obiakpu community in the Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, even though he claims to come from Rivers State.
It recalled that Okiro has aspired to become the president general of Ohanaeze in 2021 as a contestant from Rivers State, when it was the turn of Imo State to produce the next president general of the organization.
“It is unfortunate that certain political cliques are now persuading Chief Mike Okiro, who had expressed interest and taken part in the harmonization meeting for presidential candidates for the office of president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo during the constitutional transition of Imo state in 2021, to declare his intention to contest the Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidential election at Rivers State’s turn in 2025.
“Chief Mike Okiro is facing pressure from certain political scavengers to abandon his principles and adopt a double standard, a move that would erode his personal integrity and bring discredit to the noble office of president general, the most respected and esteemed office in Igboland.
“We are aware of the individuals both internal and external, who are promoting Mike Okiro’s candidacy for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. These contractors have forfeited their rights to rest or sleep and will not be allowed to do so in Igboland. We advise these opportunistic politicians to cease their self-destructive and divisive agenda against Ndigbo.
“We strongly advise those responsible for sowing disunity in Igboland between our indigenous Igbo brothers and sisters in Rivers State to halt their actions without delay or we will be forced to name them before Ndigbo and they will bear the brunt of such social evil in Igboland.
“Given that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is analogous to an Ogbako Umunna, it is erroneous and unconstitutional for Mike Okiro, an attendee of Ogbako Umunna meeting in Ogwumankwu village, Obiakpu community, Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Imo State, to have his police enrollment documents exploited by some political opportunists for an Ogbako Umunna Cultural organization position, similar to Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Those who comprehend the broader implications of the nativity/Igbo identity crisis on our Igbo brothers in Rivers State should diligently refrain from exacerbating the harm inflicted on the Igbo identity of Igbo individuals in Rivers State.
“Those advocating for Chief Mike Okiro’s candidacy are indeed, posing a substantial threat to Igbo unity. In the event that the conspirators implement their plans, the controversy and crisis generated will persist for a 100 years, far exceeding the four-year tenure and will have severe repercussions on social and political structures.
“It is imperative that Igbo elders/leaders be mindful of the potential consequences of their actions and statements, which can lead to lasting divisions among the younger generation of Igbo people from Rivers State and other South-East states.
“Igbo youths are determined to prevent Igbo elders/leaders from perpetuating a mess that our generation will ultimately suffer from as a result of their selfishness, greed, and possessive plans for power and wealth,” the Ohanaeze youth wing said.
