The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo yesterday refuted reports that it deliberately fixed a meeting of its Imeobi to clash with and sabotage the South-east campaign tour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari, scheduled to hold today.
The Igbo body, while reacting to media reports, said its National Executive Committee (NEC) had chosen January 24, for the meeting oblivious of the campaign timetable of the ruling APC party.
Ohaneze however noted that in deference to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige and the chairman of the South East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi state, Chief Dave Umahi, who both called its attention to the clash, Ohanaeze Ndigbo shifted the time for the meeting from 10 o’clock in the morning to 4pm on the same day at the instance of Dr Ngige.
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A statement by the special adviser on Media and Publicity to the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emeka Attamah, frowned at “such an insidious allegation” which, he said, was outside the disposition and character of such a hallowed Igbo apex cultural organization.
Attamah stated that the truth of the matter was that the NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had chosen the date for the meeting oblivious of the campaign timetable of the ruling APC party.
Ohanaeze stated “that they were aware of the extra cost implications due to those that would have gone but would now be accommodated in hotels but said it was to give all Igbo sons and daughters scheduled for the meeting opportunity to be there.
The release added “that although Ohanaeze Ndigbo is apolitical, it could aggregate the collective interest of Ndigbo for a candidate that answers to their wish and inclination but won’t but be dragged down to the level of vile politicking.”
It called on the “purveyors of such petty innuendos to desist forthwith as Ohanaeze Ndigbo under the leadership of Chief Nwodo will remain sterling and unimpeachable and wishes Mr President a joyous visit to the South East.”
