A group which represent Ohanaeze Ndiigbo Diaspora Committee, Igbo World Assembly (IWA), has endorsed the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, for president.
“IWA supports Ohanaeze Ndiigbo as it works very closely with other socio-cultural groups across Nigeria including Afenifere, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and the Middle Belt Forum in endorsing the People’s Democratic Party presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi for the 2019 Presidential elections,” the group stated
“IWA supports decisions taken by Ohanaeze Ndiigbo in the pursuit of Igbo interest and not political interest. The decisions may not be acceptable to some individuals, groups, State Governments, etc. for their selfish politics”, the group added.
This came after chieftains of Ohaneze Ndigbo allegedly split over the purported Abubakar’s endorsement by the organisation.
Initially, an arm of the organisation known as ‘Ime Obi’ declared support for Abubakar on the grounds that he was running with an Igbo man, Peter Obi.
This endorsement is in clear contrast of earlier stance of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation of not endorsing any of the presidential candidates.
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However, a former Secretary General of the organisation, Chief Obiora Ozobu, described the move as a hoax and personal invention of the President General of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo.
Ozobu appealed to the people to ignore the endorsement. He described it as a mischievous act aimed at causing division among Ndigbo.
He said that Nwodo lacked the capacity to summon a meeting of ‘Ime Obi’ because his tenure as president general had lapsed.
But IWA Igbo has maintained this development has not divided the Ohanaeze Ndiigbo.
“Ohanaeze Ndiigbo is intact under the leadership of our able President General, Bar Nnia Nwodo,” they added.
The diaspora group also affirmed that “Ohanaeze Igbo has been pursuing Igbo agenda in many issues including, restructuring of the Country, Federal Character appointments which have not been reflected in this present government, the insecurity in the country and the killing of innocent citizens by the Herdsmen, the politically motivated fight against corruption and flagrant abuse of rule of law, among others.”
“IWA Igbo will support and takes a strong position in matters of interest for Ndigbo and Nigeria in general in the areas of good governance, rule of law, security of lives and property, equity and fairness in the corporate Nigeria, youth development, among others”, the group added.
