Igbo Ekunie Initiative, a coalition of professionals in Nigeria and the Diaspora, on Monday strongly condemned a statement by Southeast PDP leaders/governors; namely Governor David Umahi, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Chris Ubah and others over alleged non-consultation by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, before announcing former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, as his running mate.
According to a statement signed by Igbo Ekunie Igbo Ekunie Initiative President Maazi Tochukwu Ezeoke and Secretary Lawrence Nwobu, the group, “having carefully considered the allegations and the circumstances leading to the naming of Peter Obi as the VP candidate”, declared as follows:
*That the southeast PDP leaders acted shamefully and in a pedestrian manner when they went to press questioning the VP pick on grounds of alleged non-consultation instead of congratulating both Mr Obi and Atiku.
*That their shameful behavior only reinforces the much-peddled stereotype that the Igbo “are disunited and often their own worst enemy”.
*A stereotype which has in no small measure being used to justify the marginalisation of the Igbo.
*That, rather than acting in such a shameful, unpatriotic and pedestrian manner, the southeast PDP leaders ought to have known that there is no requirement for regional consultation or endorsement of a Vice presidential nominee.
*That since the 2nd Republic, presidential candidates are usually given a free hand to choose a VP that he can trust and work with to achieve his agenda.
*That, this was the same modus operandi through which Dr. Alex Ekwueme of blessed memory and Abubakar Atiku himself emerged VP’s in their respective parties in 1979 and 1999.
*That most recently, having conceded that decision to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he single-handedly picked vice president Yemi Osinbajo.
*That notably, in none of these cases were regional consultation or endorsement required before the VP candidates were picked.
“In light of the above; it’s our submission that southeast PDP leaders acted in a traitorous manner that neither dignifies nor advances the interest of the region or of Nigeria at large,” Igbo Ekunie said.
It added: “From public reactions so far, it’s self-evident that the people of the Southeast and indeed Nigerians at large have rejected their shameful and self-serving antics.
“We, therefore, warn that except they withdraw themselves from such ignoble antics, voters in the Southeast will be mobilised to reject each and everyone one of them in subsequent elections has proven to be traitors who have no interest of their people/region or the nation at heart.”