The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Thursday say it by no means at time endorsed the Peoples Democratic Celebration, PDP, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for the forthcoming February election.
He mentioned the endorsement was carried out by associates of Atiku and that of his operating mate, Mr. Peter Obi.
Chuks Ibegbu, the Deputy Nationwide Publicity Secretary of the organisation, made the comment in Enugu, throughout a press briefing, collectively addressed with Chief Emeka Attamah, SA on media to the President-Basic, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, to mark the second anniversary of the present govt of Ohanaeze.
Some South-East leaders had throughout a gathering in Enugu, final 12 months, attended by a number of teams and distinguished personalities within the zone, endorsed Atiku.
Nevertheless, Ibegbu mentioned the endorsement was executed by associates of the previous Vice President and never Ohanaeze, stressing that the organisation wanted to be circumspect, “as our children are in all the political parties.”
Ibegbu mentioned: “It’s misguided to say that we endorsed Atiku. Ohaneze Ndigbo didn’t endorse anyone. That assembly at Nike Lake Resort was organised by associates of Atiku.
“Before Ohanaeze will take a stand, it has to convene Imeobi, the highest decision making organ. At the Nike Lake event, you did not see governors, senators, among others there, and these people are all members of Imeobi. But, even if they were there, the meeting was not Ohanaeze event.”
“However, due to our peculiar circumstance in the country, we will identify with candidates that will restructure Nigeria if voted into power,” he mentioned.
“Ohaneze Ndigbo has been canvassing for our individuals to determine with candidates that may restructure Nigeria.
“We still stand on that and in the next few days we shall meet to take a holistic position on the elections,” he added.
On the achievements of the group in workplace, he mentioned, “inside these two years, we now have given our modest contribution to the re-jigging of Igbo management and leveraging of Igbo points in Nigeria.
“A few of our modest achievements serially embody: The restoration of the dignity of the Igbo race in Nigeria and throughout the globe, the constructing of bridges with different ethnic nationalities in Nigeria;
“The initiation and pursuit of the restructuring of Nigeria, a place that has now turn out to be a nationwide mantra; the promotion of Igbo language tradition and heritage;
“The institution and promotion of Ohanaeze Ndigbo actions at native, state, nationwide and diaspora ranges;
“The diplomatic and deft handling of such explosive issues as the Quit Notice to Ndigbo by Northern Youths, the Pro-Biafra agitation, the Fulani Herdsmen/Farmers crisis in Igbo land, the Python Dance issue and many other threatening issues that would have snowballed to a national disaster.”
He added that, “this management was in a position to construct synergy with its affiliate teams like IDA, IWA, WIC, Aka Ikenga, Izu-Umunna, Njiko Umunna, Igbo Media Discussion board and different Igbo organisations to leverage Igbo Unity and improvement.
“This management inspired unity and synergy amongst Igbo Governors and political actors for the general curiosity of Ndigbo.
“This regime has put in place a formidable Youth and Ladies Wings for the group.
“We wish to thank the media in your help and guarantee Ndigbo that we will in the remainder of our remaining two years, we will do our greatest to present Ndigbo a dedicated management.
“The President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Barr. John Nnia Nwodo, thank the media, our fraternal brothers, associations and organisations, our affiliate bodies, youths, women, students, governors, political leaders and all Nigerians and wish all a happy New Year and hitch-free election 2019.”
