World Igbo Youth Council, WIYC, Friday backed the Ohanaeze
Ndigbo Youth Council, OYC, over its recognition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as
the new Igbo leader.
The OYC leadership had during their visit to Kanu, leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, declared that the Igbos now had a
leader in him.
However, a source told DAILY POST that the decision has not gone down
well with some Igbo leaders, who felt slighted by the action of the
youths.
The source, who stated that the leaders were infuriated that the
youths met with the IPOB leader before them, added that “they are trying
to put pressure on Ohanaeze leadership to open up problem with the
Ohanaeze Youths.”
However, in a reaction to the developments, the Secretary General of
WIYC, Mr. Edumobi Izuora and the Deputy National President, Dr. Ugwu
Francis, described the action of the OYC as a right step in the right
direction.
While justifying their position, they said, “we agree with the
Ohanaeze Ndigbo on adoption of Nnamdi Kanu as Igbo leader because
”leadership is not about occupying political office, age or by material
acquisition.
“Leadership is based on confidence reposed on N namdi Kanu, who has
successfully stepped into the shoes of Late Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“This is evident in the compliance to the sit-at-home declared by Kanu and which was backed by Ohanaeze youths.”
The group vowed to resist any attempt “to prosecute and persecute the
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths; such move will fail because Ndigbo has
recognized Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro as a worthy leader; no unpopular
conspiracy against them will deter the youths.
“We urge the Ohanaeze youths to continue to project Ndigbo in any
circumstance possible. The IPOB, MASSOB and the Ohanaeze Youths should
keep working as one to salvage Ndigbo.
“We equally urge the new Igbo leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to work in
close affinity with the MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu and the
Ohanaeze Youths led by Mazi Isiguzoro Okechukwu.”
Daily Post