Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing says it has mobilised 20m members nationwide to vote for Atiku/Obi

PAN-cultural Igbo organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo's youth wing has promised that its members will turn out en mass for Nigeria's forthcoming elections because it has mobilised 20m Igbos nationwide to vote for the Atiku/Obi presidential ticket.

On Saturday, Nigerians go to the polls to elect a president and members of the National Assembly, while on March 9, governors and members of state houses of assembly will be elected. Accounting for about 20% of Nigeria's population, Ndigbo are a major factor in the elections as they are scattered all around the country with a presence in every of Nigeria's 36 states.

Yesterday, Dr Arthur Obiorah, the national president of the Ohaneze Ndigbo youth wing worldwide, asked Igbo youths to remain resolute and vote wisely in coming elections. He added that Igbo youths are highly disappointed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec) could postpone of an election just few hours to its commencement but they will go ahead and vote.

Dr Obiorah urged Igbo youths to fulfil the demands of Ime-Obi Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide request that they  vote for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket made up of former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State governor Peter Obi. He added that they remain resolute and have mobilised over 20m Igbo youths to vote for the Atiku/Obi presidential ticket in the rescheduled date, with the hope to deliver on the mandate handed over to them by Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide.

“Ohaneze youths worldwide is not really happy with what the Inec did last Saturday postponing elections because we are fully prepared to come and cast our votes for candidates of our choice. We are disappointed to hear the postponement at about 2.30am on election day and it has never happened in the history of Nigeria, it is quite unbelievable.

“Because we are Christians, we believe God is preparing us for the next level, a better level in the near future. I told my people to be calm and remain resolute wherever they are now and urged them to make sure they vote this coming Saturday and vote overwhelmingly,” Dr Obiorah added.

He pointed out that many people may have suffered a series of setbacks due to the postponement, stating that many had approached him to point out that the new date coincides with their weddings, burials and other social events. However, Dr Obiorah appealed to the people to persevere and ensure they pay the ultimate sacrifice to tarry awhile and vote candidates approved by the Ime-Obi of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide.