The Anambra State Government has
washed its hand off the Thursday’s endorsement of the presidential candidate of
the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.
Atiku was endorsed during Imeobi, a meeting of the highest decision making body
of Ohanaeze, the apex socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo.
Some of the reasons for the
endorsement included Atiku’s promise on restructuring and his choice of Mr.
Peter Obi as his running mate.
Obi is the immediate past
Governor of Anambra State.
However, addressing a press conference
late Thursday night, the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Prof Solo
Chukwulobelu, who led a delegation of the State to the Imeobi, said they were
not part of the exercise.
He described the development as a
divisive trajectory capable of destabilizing Ndigbo.
While faulting Atiku’s
endorsement, he said “in compliance with the directive by the Anambra State
Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, a delegation of the Anambra State Government
arrived at Nike Lake Hotel in Enugu early enough to participate in the meeting
of Ime Obi of Ohaneze Ndigbo scheduled to start at 7pm, as agreed on by the
Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Engr Dave Umahi, and the President
General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo.
“The delegation led by the
Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, was
surprised to learn that the meeting had been held earlier and lasted for a mere
30 minutes. The representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Dr Eric kelechi
Igwe, who arrived at the venue before the time the meeting was scheduled to
start was also surprised that it had already taken place. The same goes for
others like the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, OON.”
He added that “we are, indeed,
surprised that the Ime Obi meeting could hold today of all days. We had
expected Ohaneze leaders to participate actively in the commissioning ceremony
of the Zik Mausoleum, Onitsha, Anambra State. The Mausoleum, which was started
by the General sani Abacha government, took a whole 23 years to complete.
“We have read bits of the
communiqué purportedly issued by the Ohaneze leadership. We regret that they do
not reflect the position of the people and Government of Anambra State.
“The position of the Anambra
State Government is that Ohaneze should remain a united organization umbrella
for all Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any party. There are major
leaders in all political parties, including the three major ones in Nigeria,
namely, APGA, APC and PDP.
“It is deeply regrettable that
the Ohaneze leadership has chosen to go down a divisive trajectory capable of
setting back Igbo unity for several years.”
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