The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has passed a vote of no confidence on the leadership of the President General of the apex Igbo body, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, accusing him of uninspiring and uneventful leadership. The youths alleged that Mbata has relegated Igbo youths and failed to meet the qualities of leadership expected of him, particularly regarding the three organs of the organization—the youth wing, women wing, and the main body—which they said have not functioned since his inauguration.
Allegations of Neglect
In a statement released after their meeting in Enugu, the youths expressed frustration over Mbata's refusal to engage with them. “There are three organs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo—the youth wing, women wing, and the main body. We have made series of efforts to interact with the President General to enable him know our programmes but he has refused to see us. There has not been any meeting to know what we are facing. It is a departure from the former leaderships that have always embraced Igbo youths. We are saying no to mediocre leadership and anything that will erode the confidence of Ndigbo in Nigeria,” they stated.
Call for New Elections
The youths lamented that Mbata, who came to power “on the hills of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth wing agitations for a constitutionality driven rotational presidency which favoured kits and Kim’s from Rivers State,” is now running the organization as if there is no constitution. Consequently, they announced the date for their National Executive Committee election, scheduled for June 15, 2026.
Security Concerns
The group also highlighted the dire security situation in Nigeria, noting that the country recorded about 2.2 million kidnappings and N22 trillion in ransom payments in just one year. “This mind blowing data as quoted by National Bureau of Statistics is a stark reality that indeed our nation is on the precipice. We beg to ask; are we now running a ransom economy?” they questioned.
Appeal to President Tinubu
The statement, signed by Acting National Youth Leader Wenceslaus Ogbonnia, Secretary Anyaene Chukwuma, National Secretary Emmanuel Mbadiugha, and others, requested President Bola Tinubu to grant them an audience within 14 working days to present a comprehensive security blueprint for the restoration of peace and development in Igbo land. They also appealed for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), urging Tinubu to temper justice with mercy, which would prove him a detribalised leader.
Commendation for Enugu Governor
The Igbo youths commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for his “disruptive and innovative development,” which has restored pride in the capital of the Eastern heartland, particularly through the building and equipping of over 100 smart schools with state-of-the-art facilities. They also declared that it is the turn of Enugu State to produce the next leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths.
No Response from Mbata
Efforts to get Mbata's reaction on the position of the Igbo youths proved abortive. The group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, said, “I want to see publication before granting interview.”
