By Emma Ogbuehi
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide has raise alarm on a statement credited to a chieftain of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shettima Yerima where he was quoted to have boasted that the “North will use their numerical strength to quash zoning in 2023”, warning that such hawkish posture amounts to invitation to anarchy.
Yerima, was alleged to have stated that the North will not support any zoning arrangement that will exempt Northern aspirants from contesting the 2023 presidency.
In reaction, Ohanaeze Youth Wing, through its National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Chika Art Adiele, maintained that the comment by Yerima, is an attempt to destroy the fragile unity of this country by the Northerners.
The statement read in part; “In as much as democracy entails popular participation; it is practically impossible for the North alone to elect a president without the votes and support of Southerners.
“Let it be known that the people of southern Nigeria of Igbo extraction, will not fold our hands and watch it happen, as our philosophy is deeply rooted on equitable distribution of power and fairness to all ethnic groups”.
Ohanaeze Youths reminded their Arewa counterparts that Nigeria is a multi-pluralistic society and one anchored on three major ethnic nationality, arguing that Ndigbo have contributed and sacrificed immensely towards the peace and unity of Nigeria, despite provocations from the North.
“On this note, the North should be reminded that Ndigbo are not cowards and will never accept any wicked attempt to impose upon us another president from the North”, the release stressed.
