The Anambra State Government again has described the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo endorsement of the Presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar at the time President Muhammadu Buhari was performing the inauguration of Zik Mausoleum as a slap on late Nnamdi Azikiwe.
”We are particularly angered by the fixing of the said meeting on the same date that President Muhammadu Buhari came to inaugurate Zik Mausoleum in Onitsha. Zik was a great son of Igboland and pioneer patron of Ohanaeze, a nationalist of repute whose past cannot be ignored by any true Igbo man.
”For Ohanaeze leadership to have not send representation for the inauguration let alone holding a meeting on Jan. 24 the same day Zik Mausoleum was inaugurated was bad.”
The Secretary to Anambra State Government, Professor Solo Chukwudebelu, who made these points at a news briefing held at Agulu Lake Hotel in Anaocha Local Government Area, said that Anambra state vehemently opposed to the endorsement of Atiku and asked Ohaneze Ndigbo to rescind its decision.
Professor Solo Chukwudebelu was disturbed that Ohanaeze did not even consult the State government before the decision was taken, adding: “as a constituent member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State was not represented in the ‘imeobi’ meeting where the acclaimed decision was reached.”
Professor Chukwudebelu, who was flanked by the state commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C Don Adinuba; Special Adviser, political to the governor, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye and Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, advised Ohanaeze to remain apolitical.
“As All Progressives Grand Alliance government, we have our presidential standard bearer who we are supporting, yet we are not lording it over all the residents of the state to join the decision of the state.
”People should be allowed to make their choice because we are in democracy, and so that is the path we want Ohanaeze leadership to follow.”
Adinuba who responded to questions from reporters said that since the advent of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, all political endorsement made had adversely affected the development of the Igbos.
He, however, advised Chief Nwodo to in the best interest of the people, rescind the endorsement of Atiku and Obi.
The government’s spokesman said that though the state was not contemplating pulling out of Ohaneze Ndigbo, but that its open condemnation of the endorsement was to set the record straight.
Describing the action as distasteful, Adinuba said that if urgent step is not taking, the development might led to a crack in existing unity among the Ohanaeze body.
Source: NAN.