The endorsement of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar by the Igbo Sociocultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo seems not to be going down well with some parties that are supposed to be part of the endorsement.
The first to discredit the endorsement is Anambra State government delegation that was supposed to attend the Imeobi meeting led by the secretary of Anambra State government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu
Chukwulobelu said that the endorsement doesn’t have the blessings of Anambra State government as because the process was characterized by underhand dealings.
The delegation wondered how a meeting that was supposed to commence by 7PM was started and concluded before the stipulated time.
“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.”
In a press statement signed by the leader of the delegate, Prof. Chukwulobelu dissociated Anambra State government from the purported endorsement stating that that is against the position of Anambra State government.
“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 full statement reads;
Statement by the Anambra State Delegation to the Ime Obi Ohaneze Meeting on Thursday, January 22, 2019.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
Signed
Prof Solo Chukwulobelu
Secretary to the Anambra State Government.
