Group Urges Igbo Youths to Support Buhari’s Government

Following the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 28 presidential election, a group known as the New Nigerian Agenda (NNA), has called upon the Igbo youths to support the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.

Meanwhile, NNA has announced that it would hold a massive rally on April 9, simultaneously in the capital cities of all the South-east states to drum up more support for the incoming administration.

At a recent launch of the Southeast chapter of the group in Awka, the Anambra State capital, NNA emphasised the need to build on the momentum of the national acceptance of Buhari’s victory to ensure every Nigerian youth expressed solidarity to the new incoming government.

According to the group’s Director-General, Chinedu Okpalanma, “We want to use this opportunity to congratulate Buhari for his deserved victory at the polls. We believe Nigerians have spoken through their votes, and the wishes of the people respected.”

The group also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan “for sticking to his promise to give Nigerians a free and fair electoral process, where each man’s vote counted, and for also showing exemplary statesmanship by graciously conceding defeat which has helped peace prevail in the country.

“History will never forget him for that singular act.”

Urging Buhari and the APC to disregard the dismal votes polled by the party in the South-east region, Okpalanma said the Igbo’s remained a part of the Nigerian project and have been known to be one of the most ardent supporters of government, irrespective of the party in power.

“It must be unequivocally stated here that even though the results of votes cast in the South-east presidential poll as collated by INEC favoured the Peoples Democratic Party, the South-east region is known for respecting the wishes of the generality of Nigerians. As a group, the New Nigerian Agenda, accepts the outcome of the March 28 election.

“Also, the people of the Southeast have been known to be very supportive of every government in power, irrespective of the tribe or religion of the sitting president, this patriotic character trait of

the South-east people have not changed. The presidentelect should be rest assured of unflinching support from youths in the South-east region.

“We are pledging to contribute towards helping ensure his policies are supported and implemented. This will require lots of vigorous re-orientation but we have started the process and we believe the incoming administration will succeed,” according to Mr. Okpalanma Speaking further, he charged the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) to, “ensure that the coming Governorship and State Assembly elections are also a true representation of the people’s votes.”

The NNA, an organisation established to “sensitise Nigerian youths on the roles expected of them”, boasts of a membership of 1,982,513 Nigerian youths and 1,118 support groups and civil societies, and would hold a massive rally on April 9, simultaneously in the capital of all the South-east states to drum up more support for the incoming administration.