From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide – Youth Wing, under the acting and dynamic leadership of Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, has observed with displeasure, the affront on Igbo political leadership by a certain Daniel Bwala, over the headship of the newly established South East Development Commission (SEDC).
In a press statement sent to The AUTHORITY, and signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (Youth Wing), Mazi Chika Art Adiele, the group expressed its discontent with Bwala’s comments.
Bwala had, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), audaciously advised President Bola Tinubu, to disregard any nominations for the headship of the SEDC from South East governors.
The statement read “As a non-partisan and the apex youth leadership body across all Igbo speaking territories in Nigeria and the diaspora, we do not intend to speak for or defend any political Party, however, we must state that Bwala’s argument that APC leadership in the South East is weak, is a direct affront on eminent Igbo political leaders from the South East who are members of the APC. This line of argument is tantamount to saying that there is nobody in the South East and this falls flat in the face of current reality, which is at its best, insolent and nauseous and of course which emanates from the playbook of Igbophobic elements who thrive on maligning, misrepresenting and marginalising the Igbo.
“For us as the Apex Youth body, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, shall continue to enjoy our earnest gratitude for signing the SEDC bill into law and we urge him to discountenance the ill-intentioned advice from a meddlesome interloper like Daniel Bwala and his co-travelers.
“We therefore solemnly reiterate our vote of implicit confidence on the entire South East Governors ably Chaired by His Excellency Sen Hope Uzodinma of the South East region for their unwavering commitments towards the accelerated infrastructural renewal.
“We convey our faith and absolute support to the South East Governors’ Forum to be able to nominate an eminent individual from the region to serve as the head of the SEDC. However, we deem it necessary to remind them to consider the millions of eminently qualified youths from the zone for such positions and other opportunities in the federal government while making such nominations.”
