By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Without ruling.out option of giving them support at the 2023 presidential polls, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has advised the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to brace up and bring out their best aspirants to square up with those from the North in the parties primaries.
AYLF President, Ambassador Yerima Shettima gave the advice, when the Secretary General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worlwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro led other executives of the group on an advocacy visit to Kaduna on Monday January 17, 2022, clamouring for an Igbo Presidency in 2023.
“I have been and advocacy of democracy and I don’t know where zoning comes from. I however believe in competency.
“Bring in your best 11 let’s bring in our best 11 and contest the primaries,” he said.
Yerima however, assured the visitors that their visit is a positive development.
“You don’t expect your demands to be met immediately. We have to go back and discuss with our people,” he said.
Ambassador.Yerima Shettima explained that he has always been a pan NIgeria believer and has always been at the forefront of struggling for democracy, right from his secondary school days.
“I keep reflecting and disappointed because I do not expect NIgeria to be where it is today.
“You spoke well, relationship existed between Azikiwe and Tafawa Balewa and Sardauna. before some individuals changed the narratives,” he said.
The AYLF President said that some of them from the North initially thought the Biafra agenda was supported by majority, untill 2017 when the perception changed.
“Gone are days when you use blackmail to negotiate for power.”There is a need for certain abnormalities sometimes to address issues.
“It’s a welcome development that leadership of Ohanaeze can come from the East to visit.
“Whether it’s going to go your way or my way, it’s good. Your coming has mended a lot of fences broken in the past,” he said
Yerima therefore, charged the Igbos to rise above board and checkmate those elements creating disaffection within Nigeria.
