Ohaneze bemoans women wing over endorsement of Atiku, reaffirms backing for Obi

The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has reaffirmed its irrevocable support for Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party as sacrosanct.

The group also distanced itself from supporting and endorsing Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate in the forthcoming election.

This is contained in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Enugu.

It said the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, presided over by the Secretary General, Amb. Okey Emuchay met on Feb. 17 and reiterated its unwavering support for Obi.

According to the statement, Ohaneze is surprised to read from the recent publication by the Ohanaeze Women Wing purportedly endorsing the candidature of the former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP.

“The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to the purported endorsement of Atiku Abubakar of PDP by Ohaneze Women Wing as Igbo candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election of Feb. 25.

“Their stand is in resonance with the right thinking patriotic Nigerians and indeed the global community that Peter Obi stands out as the “most suitable, competent, visionary, inspiring and energetic presidential candidate for the forthcoming general election.

“Obi is not only an exceptional convergence of history, equity and public consciousness, he is also a moral edifice, purveyor of excellence, a quintessential public administrator and the embodiment of the new Nigeria that we all crave for,” it said.

It said Emuchay expressed deep shock that while the Afenifere, Pan-Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF) Middle Belt, the Muslim Clerics and indeed all those who want to salvage Nigeria from the current cesspit, have united in the Obi/Datti movement, the women did otherwise.

The statement added that Emuchay was shocked that Ohanaeze Women Wing would embark on a mission that was completely at variance with the interest and position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo vehemently dissociates itself from such an unwarranted unconscionable and subversive endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of PDP,” the statement added.

It reiterated that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide would not condone acts of insubordination and sabotage from any of its officers and affiliates.

“We wish to use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the Youths, the courageous elder statesmen, the market women, the Clergy, Clerics and artisans.

“Others are Nigerian students all over the country, the international community and indeed all the oppressed and deprived masses in Nigeria for their invaluable supports to Mr Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed.

“As Obi has often stated, this election is yours and that he is only a vessel to achieve a better Nigeria,” it noted.

The statement said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is urging Nigerians to ignore all forms of distractions and troop out en-mass on Saturday, Feb. 25, to discharge their civic duties in favour of Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed. (NAN)