According to the groups, denying South East the opportunity to produce Igbo presidency in the next Presidential Election will strengthen Biafra agitation and realization of its dream in 2023.
The group made the call in a statement signed by Dr Abiye Dogulas, National President Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Leaders Forum, Comrade Obinna Achionye, Deputy President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike Secretary General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth council worldwide, and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki.
The group which insisted that power must rotate between North and South, call on South West, Middle Belt youths to cue into the project stressing that South East Zone remains the only zone yet to get the presidency in the Southern Nigeria .
They, however, urged the North and South West to honour power rotation agreement in the country and jettison their interests to contest 2023 presidential election in the interest of justice, equity and unity.
“We are overwhelmed with Large delegation of Over 150 Youths from different states of Niger Delta to press on the legitimate demand for South East to produce the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023 as a new dimension towards ensuring that Nigeria remains as one entity beyond 2023, and we have eminently qualified personalities both in APC and PDP to actualised the dream of producing Nigeria’s president of Igbo extraction.
“Coalition of Niger Delta Youth Leaders Forum is fully Committed to the 2023 Igbo Presidency Project and appreciate the robust leadership style of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth council worldwide towards ensuring that the project is not only for Igbos alone but ensure that other Political zones are fully integrated into the 2023 Igbo Presidency Project, for equity, fairness and justice and we believe that Igbo Presidency Project will address the current insecurity and economic challenges bedeviling our beloved nation, Nigeria, only an Igbo Presidency 2023 will restore Nigeria back to the Comity of Nations as truly the Giant of Africa.
“The North should honour the gentleman agreement that has existed since 1999 of Power Rotation between North and South, that it’s the turn to South East to produce the next President 2023, and we urge the Northern Elders Forum to desist from any political agitation that will make Biafra a success by 2025 without another civil War, and Niger Delta will be on the side of Biafrans if Igbo Presidency Project 2023 is denied.”
The groups also warned against further harassment and humiliation of Dame Patience Jonathan, wife of former President of the country, Dr Goodluck Jonathan by EFCC. And advised the Presidency to halt further persecution of Jonathan’s Family.
They, however, urged the former First Lady to appeal on the current judgement of the Lagos high court as they described the judgment “a miscarriage of justice.”
“The fate of Patience Jonathan today might be the fate of Aisha Buhari tomorrow if Presidency fails to halt the undue harassment of Jonathan’s family, We are aware of the good intentions of the First Lady, Dr Aisha Buhari, to build a befitting university after President Buhari, how will the President Buhari feel if Aisha’s dream of honouring him today becomes a crime tomorrow, and Aisha Buhari being in the shoes of Dame Patience Jonathan tomorrow.”
The group, however, apologised for the absences of the President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, whom they said is presently out of the country.