The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, a prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, has launched a scathing attack on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of exhibiting extreme desperation in his quest for the Nigerian presidency.
This response follows a social media post by Atiku, in which he shared a photo and claimed that he had received a courtesy visit from members of the “Ohanaze Ndibo” Youth Worldwide, led by President Ogbonnia Wenceslans, at his Abuja residence.
In reaction, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, condemned Atiku, who was the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for “seeking black market support to fulfill an ambition that is doomed to fail.”
In a statement, Okwu criticized Atiku’s reliance on fictitious groups for support and asserted that “no matter Atiku Abubakar’s strategies, power will remain in Southern Nigeria in 2027.”
He stated, “The image shared by Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is a grave insult to the dignity of Ndigbo.”
While expressing indifference to Atiku’s financial dealings with alleged fake supporters, Okwu emphasized that dragging the esteemed Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths into his desperate pursuits is unacceptable. “He could have used any other name for his so-called visitors instead of associating them with Ohanaeze youths. This is sheer desperation.”
He emphasized that Nigeria does not belong solely to Atiku or similar figures, encouraging him, as an elder statesman, to engage in actions that foster unity and equity rather than division.
Okwu denounced the idea of power returning to the North in 2027, just four years after Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year presidency, labeling it both unjust and immoral. He predicted that by 2031, power would likely shift back to the North, but emphasized that support would then be directed toward a credible candidate who respects the zoning arrangements within their party.
He further warned Nigerians to be cautious in their dealings with anonymous groups claiming to represent Ohanaeze youth, as they are not legitimate representatives. “These individuals are merely impostors and beggars masquerading as members of Ohanaeze,” he asserted.
“Others should be wary of falling prey to these opportunists,” he concluded, highlighting Atiku’s perceived desperation in his pursuit of the presidency.
