Ahead of the 2021 governorship election in Anambra state, Nigerian youths have raised two million naira for one of the governorship aspirants, Chief Odera Ozoka, to contest under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
In an exclusive chat with Blueprint Tuesday, Speaker of Ndigbo Youth Parliament, Rt. Hon. Rikki Nwajiofor, said that the donation was made over the weekend, when a coalition of Nigerian youth groups, including Ndigbo Youth Parliament, Diamond Youth Initiative, Nigerian Youth Political Agenda, Youth Advancement Initiative, and other youth groups, presented a cheque of N2 million to Ozoka for the nomination and expression of interest forms.
Led by Nwajiofor, the youths revealed that they have intention to raise more funds to complete the N20m needed for the form, even as they called on other youth groups to contribute their own quota to make sure Ozoka emerges the next governor of Anambra.
Nwajiofor said: “We presented the two cheques of N1 million each; one for Nomination form and the other for Expression of Interest form. The money was raised by different youth groups like Ndigbo Youth Parliament, Diamond Youth Initiative, Nigerian Youth Political Agenda, Youth Advancement Initiative, and other youth groups at the grassroots. We tasked ourselves to raise the money, not because we are financially buoyant, but because we believe in the dreams and plans Chief Odera Ozoka has for the youths of Anambra state.
“We have held several meetings with him for over three years now and we are convinced, judging from his antecedents and the practicable blueprints he has for the youths of Anambra state and the entire Anambrarians at large, that he is the best hand to take over from Gov. Obiano. He is the Joshua that will lead Ndi-Anambra to the promised land.
“We are calling on other youths to join hands with us, because we must buy this form of N20 million from APGA. We called on APGA and other political parties to give a rebate to youths, who are interested in contesting for the gubernatorial election, just like they did for women, but all of them paid deaf ears. We are aware that the exorbitant rate of the forms is a way of scheming youths out of the race.
“Also, in response to the cheques presented, Odera Ozoka thanked the youth groups and promised never to let them down but to judiciously use the resources of Ndi-Anambra to better the lives of every Anambrarian.”