2023 PRESIDENCY: Ohanaeze youths tackle Junaid Muhammed over comment on Ndigbo

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has said that Ndigbo would not fall into the traps of the likes of a second Republic lawmaker, Dr. Junaid Mohammed, against the zone’s quest to produce the next president in 2023.

It said the South East would not be provoked by the traps and pitfalls set up by Mohammed and few northern elders against the popular choice of supporting a Nigerian President of Igbo stock with a northerner as running mate.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday, signed by the group’s president-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and its secretary general, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.

The statement was in response to the recent comment by Mohammed, who was quoted to have said that when Nnia Nwodo, current Ohanaeze Ndigbo president-general was vying for presidency in 2003, he came with a delegate from Enugu, knelt down at the house of Lawal Jarfaru Isa, former military administrator of Kaduna and solicited for their support.

According to him, they only mocked Nwodo and said that the North never support begging culture.

But Ohanaeze youth, in its response said the Igbo would not present a presidential candidate in 2023 in the likes of Nwodo.

“We’ll not remind Junaid Muhammed that quality candidates will emerge from the South East who are in the same pedigree with late Dr Nnamdi Azikwe and Chief Samuel Mbakwe.

“These men see the entire Nigeria as their constituency. Based on the numerical strength of Igbo existing in all the 774 LGAs of the country, the fundamental issues of almajiris which the likes of Dr Junaid Muhammed had failed to address would be resolved.

“Igbo Youths wishes to assure Dr Junaid Muhammed, that Chief Nnia Nwodo will not be among the Presidential materials we will present in 2023 Presidential race.

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“We are strict on age and qualities of who ever we will project in 2023. Among those who would possess the need qualities include; current Governors, former Governors, Senators and legion of respected Sons and daughters who had international statue, that equals the Great Zik of Africa.

“We assure Dr Junaid Muhammed that a new wife will be given to him immediately the National Committee on 2023 Igbo Presidency Project financed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council in diaspora, will be inaugurated in November 1st 2019, with the sole aim of supporting a President of Igbo stock in 2023,” the statement read.

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