Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
A group, known as the Coalition of Igbo Youths Council (NIYC) rising from its meeting, in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday, has lambasted the Coalition of Northern Youths Group (CNYG) for allegedly mentioning the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi, as one of the sponsors of the Biafra separatist movements.
According to a communiqué read by Sabastine Okiro, chairman of the Eastern Peoples Youth Congress (EPYC) on behalf of NIYC, the group reiterdte its support and acceptance of Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi as the presidential and vice presidential candidate of the PDP, respectively.
The NIYC, which also comprised the Eastern Peoples Youth Congress (EPYC), Eastern Youths Progressive Movement, (EYPM) Igbo Youths Forum (IYF), Concerned Igbo Citizens (CIC) noted the humility and simplicity of Obi and his subsequent nomination has made their political detractors afraid .
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It also condemned the statements credited to the Northern Youths calling on Atiku to drop Obi as his running mate.
Okiro pointed out that Ndigbo has never opposed to the candidacies of Northern region on elective positions, and wondered why the Northern Youths should dictate or direct which candidate will emerge from Igboland.
“This sponsored statement from our counterpart in Northern region is a political insult to Ndigbo it is capable of igniting political rancor among the Arewa and Igbo Youths”
It further reads, “Peter Obi has never sponsored or be a backbone for Biafra Agitation as alleged by Northern Youths. It is on records that before the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from prison and during his stays, tours, rallies and private visitations, he did not have any contacts with Mr. Peter Obi.
“During his recent broadcast, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu did not mention or acknowledged Mr. Peter Obi.
“It is still on records that Mr. Peter Obi does not sponsor other Pro Biafra group leaders like Comrade Uchenna Madu of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike of BIM, Barr. Onwuka Kalu of BZM and others, how did the Northern youths arrived at their allegations that Mr Peter Obi is a major sponsor of Biafra agitation”?
The NYIC, however, described the allegations of Northern Youths as a mere blackmail fashioned to discredit the intellectuality and economic reforms of Obi.
“We urge all the youths of Nigeria federation and entire electorates to ignore the sponsored media attacks on the person of Mr. Peter Obi by the northern youths.”