June 10, (THEWILL) – The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has accused the Independent National, Yakubu Mahmood, of plotting to scuttle the 2023 general election.
A statement signed in Abakaliki and made available to journalists, Mazi Isiguzoro, who alleged that the silence of the INEC boss on the dispersion of Igbo traders who went for voters registration at Igbede in Ojo Local government area, by ‘area boys’ was suspicious.
According to him, there was also a connivance between the embattled APGA chairman, Festus Okoye and the electoral umpire, not to recognise Chief Edozie Njoku, as the authentic National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), by ignoring the Supreme Court judgement of Supreme from May 9, 2022 – June 9, 2022.
The statement reads:” This press briefing has been necessitated by confirmed reports that multitudes of area boys at Igbede in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos, have besieged the INEC approved registration areas to disperse Igbo traders that have closed their shops to partake in their civic responsibility.
“We have it on good record that some of them carted away with INEC registration machines. All these are geared towards making Ndigbo scapegoats in the build up to the 2023 General Elections.
“But, we are curious that this is happening barely 48 hours since Bola Tinubu emerged APC flagbearer. We are even more curious that INEC is yet to make an official statement on this worrisome trend. Other confirmed reports available to us have it that Igbos that came out to register are being turned back.
“During the 2019 general elections, hoodlums were reported to have stormed Igbo dominated areas and burnt ballot papers on election day. This trend must stop immediately. INEC’s silence on matters like this is quite revealing.
“We wish to raise our voice at this time that it matters most. We wish to call our people to stand up strong, at a time the major political parties have shown their outright disdain and disrespect for the Southeast.
“The level of travesty and treachery that have been exhibited in the past few days, by major political parties in Nigeria, is an indication that despite our commitment to Nigeria, despite our patriotism, despite our passion and sacrifices, we are grandly perceived as outcasts. “Ndigbo, agwo no kwanu na akirika.”
“While we prepare to call a meeting of Imeobi where all right thinking and forward looking Igbo men and women will be invited for the presentation of a practical, measurable and achievable framework.
“I wish to call on Ndigbo to rise in unison and throw their weight behind Chief Edozie Njoku, the National Chairman of APGA, for having exhibited foresight, fortitude and astuteness through the reclamation of APGA from men that have no program for our people.
“Barely two weeks after assuming office, Chief Edozie Njoku took the entire NWC to Chief Chekwas Okorie and apologised to him on behalf of the Party, for not treating him well. A week later, Chief Chekwas Okorie reciprocated Chief Njoku’s gesture and returned to the party. On June 3, 2022, to ensure that we do not put our eggs in one basket, APGA gave Chief Chekwas Okorie the Presidential flag of the Party to fly.
“However, we wish to call the attention of the whole world that the 2023 election may not hold. Some agents of politicians, on a subversive mission are bent on setting this country ablaze. If this is not true, how do you explain the irresponsible action of the Commission by ignoring the Supreme Court Judgement from May 9, 2022 – June 9, 2022?
“There is palpable fear in the land. And, rather than promote a favourable and serene electoral climate, Mr Festus Okoye, an agent of Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, has collected N5 billion from fifth columnists to suppress the Supreme Court’s judgement that declared Chief Njoku the authentic National Chairman of APGA.
“We have credible intelligence that Mr Okoye negotiated a sharing formula of 60% – 40% for all illegal forms sold to unsuspecting aspirants by Victor Oye. So, what is keeping INEC from acknowledging the Supreme Court judgement is Okoye and Mahmood’s interest.
“We wish to inform the DSS, DIA and DMI, that Festus Okoye has less than one month to spend in INEC, therefore, he sees this ongoing electoral process as a cash cow and last opportunity. Shamefully, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood has put the entire 2023 General Election in total jeopardy. Let the public be aware.
“As Ndigbo lick their wounds, having lost out in the PDP and APC Presidential Primaries, why is Mahmood being used to stifle the chances of Ndigbo in the coming 2023 General Elections? We shall get to the root of this”, he assured.
About the Author
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
