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In light of Governor Peter Mbah’s switch to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, the youth wing of the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has defended the governor’s choice.
The organization expressed its views in a statement released on Monday by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike.
Okwu stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inflicted significant injustice upon the South-East, emphasizing that the youth stand firmly with the governor.
He indicated that the relationship between the PDP and the South-East effectively ended in 2023 when the party declined to microzone its ticket to the region.
Instead, he noted, “it left the ticket open, which forced Mr. Peter Obi to join the Labour Party, as it became evident that the entire arrangement was biased against Ndigbo.
“It is illogical for Ndigbo to continue placing our hopes in a single party, especially when it yields no benefits. The PDP displays arrogance and ingratitude.
“The utmost disrespect towards Governor Peter Mbah and other PDP stakeholders from the South-East was demonstrated when the PDP leadership ignored a decision clearly made by the region.
“We acknowledge that the governor and the stakeholders had cautioned that they might explore other options, yet the PDP's national leadership dismissed their concerns.”
Okwu remarked that given the evident neglect, it is time for Ndigbo to part ways with the PDP.
“In stating this, we firmly assert that His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah, has made a decision that is in the best interest of not only the people of Enugu but also the entire South-East.
“There is no reason to make sacrifices for a party that fails to value our people. Therefore, we stand with the governor on this matter, even though he has the capability to win any election on any political platform.
“However, in the broader interest of our community, his transition to the APC merits recognition,” Okwu concluded.
Why did Governor Peter Mbah defect to the APC?
Governor Peter Mbah defected to the APC due to the perceived injustices and neglect by the PDP towards the South-East region, which he believes has not served the interests of the people.
What is the stance of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on this defection?
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has publicly supported Governor Mbah's decision, stating it is in the best interest of the South-East and that the party has shown a lack of regard for the region.
What criticisms did the PDP face from Ohanaeze Ndigbo?
Ohanaeze Ndigbo criticized the PDP for its arrogance and failure to respect decisions made by the South-East, which led to a significant loss of trust from regional stakeholders.
