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Ohanaeze denies endorsing Atiku

Published

5 years ago

January 11, 2019

The apex Igbo socio -cultural organisation , Ohanaeze Ndigbo , said on Monday it never at any time endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate , Atiku Abubakar , for the forthcoming February election .
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the organisation , Chuks Ibegbu , disclosed this in Enugu , during a press briefing , he jointly addressed with Chief Emeka Attamah , the Special Assistant on Media to the President- General , Chief John Nwodo , to mark the second anniversary of the group ’ s executive body .

The endorsement, according to him , was by friends of Atiku and those of his running mate , Mr Peter Obi .

Recall that some South – East leaders had during a meeting in Enugu , last year , attended by groups and prominent personalities in the zone , endorsed Atiku .

Ibegbu said , “ It is erroneous to say we endorsed Atiku ; Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not endorse anybody . That meeting at Nike Lake Resort was organised by friends 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 an 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 said .

He added , “ Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been canvassing our people to identify with candidates that will restructure Nigeria .

“ We still stand on that and in the next few days , we shall meet to take a holistic position on the elections. ”

On the achievements of the group in office , the Ohanaeze chieftain said , “ Within these two years , we have given our modest contribution to the re – jigging of the Igbo leadership and leveraging Igbo issues in Nigeria .

“ Some of our modest achievements serially include the restoration of the dignity of the Igbo race in Nigeria and across the globe ; the building of bridges with other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria ; the initiation and pursuit of the restructuring of Nigeria , a position that has now become a national mantra ; the promotion of Igbo language , culture and heritage ; the establishment and promotion of Ohanaeze Ndigbo activities at local , state , national and diaspora levels . ”

He added , “ This leadership was able to build a synergy with its affiliate groups like IDA , IWA , WIC , Aka Ikenga , Izu -Umunna , Njiko Umunna , Igbo Media Forum and other Igbo organisations to leverage Igbo unity and development .

“ This leadership encouraged unity and synergy among Igbo governors and political actors for the overall interest of Ndigbo .

“ This regime has put in place formidable youth and women wings for the organisation . ”

He thanked the media for their support and assured Ndigbo that in the remaining two years , the leadership would do its best to give Ndigbo a committed leadership.
“ The President – General of Ohanaeze , Chief John Nwodo , thanked “ 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 elections in 2019 . ”