Moshood Adebayo
Different Igbo cultural groups, both home and abroad, have commended the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Worldwide, for endorsing the presidential and vice presidential candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, respectively.
Among the groups are the Igbo World Assembly (IWA) and the Anambra Worldwide Association (ASA-WORLD), both led by Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, the Ohanaeze UK and the Expanded National Executive (NEC) of the Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU), among others
In a statement by Special Assistant to the President-General on Media and Publicity, Chief Emeka Attamah, the apex body also urged Chief Nwodo ‘’never to be browbeaten by any element or group of persons, no matter how highly placed’’
It also condemned what it called the virulent vituperation from Anambra State Governor, Willy Obiano.
The organisation frowned at the recent insult by the governor to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, adding that “when you insult Ohanaeze leader, in this case, Chief Nnia Nwodo, you are in effect insulting Ndigbo.”
It said Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the only authentic umbrella organisation and the only recognised mouthpiece of Ndigbo in the seven Igbo-speaking states at home and abroad.
The group, which expressed its delight over what it called the political dynamics prevailing in the country, also said, “we totally support Nwodo’s decision to endorse the Atiku/Obi ticket for many reasons.’’
On its part, the Ohanaeze UK, an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation in the UK and Ireland noted that though Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not a political party, ‘’it is a brain child of political marginalisation and, therefore, has a fundamental political function for Ndigbo.”
President of Ohanaeze New York, Mazi Innocent Obiegbu, said it reviewed the plight of Ndigbo in Nigeria and came to the conclusion that they lend their unanimous voice of support to Nwodo, for leading Ndigbo aright by endorsing the Atiku/Obi ticket, ‘’which is not personal endorsement, but, an endorsement that shows where the Igbo masses stand.”
Similarly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo of North Carolina, led by its President, Nwachukwu .C. Okafor, in its release, said it fully supported the endorsement of Atiku/Obi by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.