Ohanaeze youths raise lobby panel for 2023 presidency

By CHARLES OGUGBUAJA, Owerri

In its quest to ensure that the South East region gets the presidency in 2023, the youth wing of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has set up a 20-member committee to lobby other ethnic nationalities, religious organisations and groups in the country.

The group disclosed this, yesterday, in a statement issued by its Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Chibuzo Udekigbo and made available to The Guardian.

While Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, was named chairman of the panel, Chris Obiemenyebo will serve as its secretary.

Other members are; Henry Okorie (Deputy Chairman); Nnamdi Odoh; Orji-Akadiro Phil Chisaokwu; Eweh Onyekachi; Arinze Desmond; Chibuzo Udekigbo; Imaga E. Imaga; Emmanuel Mbadugha; Njenje Brendan and Beatrice Aliemeke, Nwachukwu Kenneth; Kalu Igbe Ole; John Kennedy Udeagwu; Ijeh Kate; Chimaraoke Nwosu; Ugochukwu Echereodo and Maurice Okpara.

The group explained that the terms of reference for the committee would be to identify credible, reliable, qualified and popular candidates from across party lines in the South East to be supported for the 2023 presidential election.

“It will initiate engagements with relevant stakeholders across party, religious and ethnic lines, with a view to convince them on the need to support an Igbo for the country’s presidency in 2023.

It will also mobilise support across different political lines towards ensuring that an Igbo gets elected as President of Nigeria in 2023,” the statement added.

The committee will also make quarterly reports to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Youth Wing on progress, challenges and strategies and carry out other assignments as may be assigned to it in line with the Igbo Presidency mandate.

Members of the panel were charged to see the assignment as service to their fatherland. (Adopted from The Guardian)