The Ohafia Youths Initiative Movement (OYIM), a socio-political and mobilisation group has lambasted the action of some traditional rulers of Ohafia Udumaeze extraction for openly endorsing the governorship ambition of the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.

According to the group, the open show of support for the deputy governor against governorship aspirants from Ohafia clan was embarrassing and unacceptable.

The group stated this in a statement signed by its Deputy National Coordinator, Comrade Ukpai Eke, on Tuesday, noting that the Deputy Governor was yet to attract any form of development to the clan even though he has been in government for two decades.

The group wondered why the Council of Nde Ezieogo would ridicule the clan by supporting an Nkporo son against their own especially now that the clan is very much united to produce Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s successor in 2023.

“Few days have gone since the Reception and Conferment of Chieftaincy tittle on Abia State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu by the Ohafia Traditional Rulers as a son that has brought “honour” to the L.G.A. through his humility. It is no doubt a deserving honour to a man who has been described as “Humble, and Loyal”

“Fun and large as the reception had been, with its clear political statement of facts to the Abia North Senatorial District as opposed to her quest to produce the next occupant of the seat of authority of Abia State, ‘The Lion House’. We reject the actions of our traditional rulers and demand an explanation on why they abandoned credible Ohafia sons to support someone without any achievement for the clan.

“The Ohafia Youth Initiative Movement, wish to seek answers to some questions raised by the decision of the traditional rulers of the clan to support an outsider against their own.

“The OYIM youth advocacy and mobilisation group wish to know if the action of the revered traditional rulers is an endorsement of the Deputy Governor in Lieu of every other aspirant from Ohafia clan (especially under PDP)?. Our concern is hinged on the reality that if Ohafia must make headway in her quest to occupy the Lion House in 2023, it will not be a bad strategy to endorse a concensus candidate to harness our efforts as a people and give us sense of focus from day one. Therefore we seek clarification in this respect.

“If this is an endorsement carried out by the traditional rulers, was it in accordance and agreement with all Ohafia aspirants, because Ohafia Si, Ekpee Ekpe Biri Utara, Ifere Anighi Eme Ufuo”. Is Rt. Hon. Ude Oko-Chukwu the prefered candidate of the Council of Nde Ezieogo?

“We are appealing to our traditional rulers to show some respect to our sons with governorship ambition. We love our brothers from Nkporo and Abiriba, but this is the time for them to return the love by supporting our sons to become the next governor of Abia State,” the group said.