Coalition Of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), have accused the Imo State governor, Emeka Ihedioha of planning to install a stooge to take over the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo come 2021.
The group stated this in a press release signed by its President General, Chief Goodluck Egwu Ibem.
The full statement reads below…
We have uncovered a plot by the Executive governor of Imo state Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to use the Ahiajioku lecture to influence the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo leaders of thoughts, and prominent Igbo sons and daughters to support the candidature of his stooge as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo come 2021.
Ihedioha stage managed the Ahiajoku lecture series in Owerri the Imo state capital so that Igbo leaders of thoughts and prominent Igbo sons will see him as a trusted Igbo son that has the interest of the Igbo people at heart, when in the actual sense of it , he is working against the Igbo dream and collective interest. He is just after what will benefit him alone. He doesn’t have the interest of the Igbo nation at heart.
Ihedioha’s scheme in the next election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that is coming up by 2021 is to plant his stooge as President General that will endorse the candidacy of Governor Aminu Tambuwal as Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Emeka Ihedioha as the running mate come 2023 general elections.
We know who he is projecting for the position of Ohanaeze President General and we will resist him when the chips are down. Ohanaeze Ndigbo can never again be used by few individuals to achieve their selfish political gains and ambition.
The main purpose and objective Professor Ben Nwabueze and other respected Igbo leaders formed Ohanaeze was to defend and protect the collective interest of Ndigbo in Nigeria. It was not established to protect the personal interest of a few persons. Those people who think they can use Ohanaeze to achieve their personal political ambition and interest should look elsewhere. Ohanaeze is not for self.
It is a known fact that it is the turn of Imo state to produce the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo after Chief Nnia Nwodo must have completed his tenure. But will not fold our hands and watch the Imo State Governor hijack Ohanaeze Ndigbo structure and plant his stooge as President General that will do his bidding which is totally against the collective interest of the Igbo nation. Ndigbo will not condone anyone that will work against the project of an Igbo man as President of Nigeria come 2023.
Imo State has enough successful educated businessmen , scholars, champions and captains of industries, academia and men of proven integrity who can take-up the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General come 2021.
We call on the good people of Imo State to rise up to the occasion and choose for themselves anyone they deem fit and capable to occupy the office of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo come 2021,a man that will stand for Ndigbo and Ndigbo alone.
2023 is the unnegotiable time for the South East geopolitical zone to produce the President of Nigeria and we not allow anyone that will sabotage the collective interest of Ndigbo to emerge as the President General of Ohanaeze in 2021.
We warn those working against the realization of Nigeria President of Igbo extraction to immediately leave Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We are totally committed and determined to actualize the dream of ensuring that an Igbo man emerges as President of Nigeria come 2023.
All saboteurs of the Nigerian President of Igbo extraction project will be declared persona-non-grata in Igbo land. There is no hiding place for enemies of Ndigbo this time. We must achieve our dreams and aspiration of producing Nigerian President from South East zone come 2023.
