The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths World Wide has passionately appealed to millions of voters in Imo State to troop out enmasse and cast their votes for their preferred governorship candidates during the Saturday, November 11 guber polls.
The group made the call in Owerri on Thursday, at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Glasshouse, after convention of Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders.
Among the Youth Leaders and Stakeholders of Igbo Extraction that graced the convention were those from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, National Youth Council of Nigeria(NYCN), National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), among other Community Based Youth Organisations.
In a communique issued at the end of the convention and signed by the youth leaders and stakeholders, the youths said it was expedient for them, as critical stakeholders, to take responsibility in order to ensure peaceful, credible and successful election in Imo State on Saturday.
According to them, they revealed they had approached relevant stakeholders such as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), aecurity agencies, political parties, traditional and religious leaders as well as youths in order to ascertain their level of preparedness.
“We are confident to announce to you that the electoral umpire INEC, with over 21,000 Staff deployed plus about 9 National Commissioners, is squarely ready to conduct a Free and Fair elections that will be devoid of unnecessary delay and confusion.
“According to the Resident Electoral Commissioner(REC), accreditation will be done electronically and results uploaded in real time.
“The Security Agencies have assured us of adequate and absolute Security across the State. They further emphasized on their determination to diligently and professionally discharge their duties without any form of intimidation or high handedness to the electorates, especially Youths.
“The Political Parties, through their Candidates, have signed Peace Accord and have demonstrated sportsmanship through out the Campaign period.
“Sequel to the above, we the Igbo Youths, through our indigenous and widespread structures, have sensitized our people especially the Youths to come out enmasse and Peacefully conduct themselves while discharging their civic responsibility.
“As accredited observers, we have also setup control room, here in Owerri, from where we shall monitor the exercise and collate intelligence from all the 305 wards in Imo State.
“We must admonish the recruited adhoc staff of INEC especially the collation and returning Officers, who are the field Soldiers to conduct themselves properly,” the youths said.
The Communique further debunked as a baseless propaganda, reports making the round on the media, alleging that Ohanaeze Youths rejected Governor Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo State.
They said; “We therefore state categorically that this allegation is False, Inconsequential and Unfounded; thus should be discarded by the General Public.
On the assault and attack on the National President of the Nigerian Labour Congress NLC, Comr. Joe Ajaero, by some alleged Imo Unionists, the Igbo youths described it as unacceptable and an act that totally defies the tenets of democracy.
They called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book to deter such barbarism, rather than let it to be swept under the carpet.
The Communique read; “We commiserate with our brother and friend Comr. Joe Ajaero, and the entire leadership of Nigerian Labour Congress.
“We humbly appeal to NLC, to reconsider the threat for a National action starting from 14th November 2023, and to sheath their Sword as the innocent Nigerians are at the receiving end.
“However Justified and Lawful this action might be, we are very much concerned about the adverse effect on our fragile Society and the unhealthy Economy.”
