The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has said that it has not endorsed any presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 election.
Ohanaeze youths’ South-South Zonal Coordinator, Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, made the declaration in a statement on Tuesday.
Arthur-Ugwa warned that the group’s choice would not be influenced by ethnic and religious sentiments but would be strictly on merit, charisma, and capacity of the candidates.
The statement reads, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by our President-General, Prof. George Obiozor, has no preferred presidential candidate yet.
“When it becomes necessary that we choose one and we so do, we’ll make our preferences public.
We, therefore, call on members to avoid the temptation to submit to any form of inducement, financial or otherwise in the name of Ohanaeze. This is distasteful as it is unacceptable. As an organization, our dignity is sacrosanct,” he said.
Speaking further, the zonal coordinator stated that prominent Igbo leaders such as the National Women Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs Rita Daniels, had also warned youths not to convert the upcoming general elections into a money-making venture.
He warned that anyone caught collecting funds on behalf of the Ohanaeze would be properly dealt with in line with laid down procedures.
