By: Ikenna Oluka
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Thursday threw its weight behind the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and his running mate, Peter Obi.
The group said the decision to support the duo came after a critical and dispassionate appraisal of the issues and the visible fault lines in polity, including the analysis of the election manifestos of the various contesting parties.
Ohanaeze observed that PDP was the only party that has restructuring of the federation in its manifesto, as well continued relevance of Igbo people in the Nigerian geopolitical space.
A communique released by the organisation at the end of its meeting held at Nike Lake Resort in Enugu, and signed by the President, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said that the meeting resolved that Ohanaeze remains the apex socio-cultural organisation that works for the interest of the Igbo in and outside Nigeria.
The communique reads in part: “Ohanaeze notes particularly that a major political party (PDP) by the nomination of our son, Peter Obi, as the Vice Presidential Candidate has given Ndigbo an opportunity for inclusivity. Ndigbo must seize the moment.
“That the Presidential Candidate of PDP Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has made an avowed commitment to restructuring of the federation and reconfirmed same during his recent visit to the United States in his meetings with high-level US officials.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said that in consideration of the above and other relevant existential factors pertaining to the treatment of the Igbo in Nigeria, “the Ime Obi Ohanaeze, hereby ratify the decision reached at the Ohanaeze National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Enugu on Tuesday 22 January, 2019, to adopt the Atiku Abubakar/ Peter Obi ticket in the 2019 presidential election.
“Ime Obi therefore endorses and embraces fully, this ticket without equivocation, especially with regards to the position of Ndigbo at the Awka Declaration which insisted on a complete restructuring of the Nigerian polity.”
Ohanaeze urged Igbos to see their PVCs as their most potent tool to ensure a restructured polity for a better society.
While also calling on the international community to help ensure a free and credible 2019 elections in Nigeria, Ohanaeze enjoined all Igbo to not only come out and vote, but to protect their votes.