2015: Ohanaeze Refuses To Endorse Jonathan Nnamdi Mbawike — Nov 10, 2014 | 14 Comments Contrary to the expectation of some prominent Igbo politicians in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imeobi, the highest decision making body of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday refused to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2015 general elections. Present at the meeting were a PDP chieftain and one of those that spearheaded the endorsement of Jonathan by Ohanaeze in the last presidential election, Chief Emmanuel Nwanyanwu, a stalwart of the PDP, Senator Hope Uzodinma who had insisted in the meeting that Ohanaeze should not be completely left out of politics, former Ohanaeze president general, Dr Dozie Ikedife, First Republic parliamentarian, Chief Mbazuruike Amaechi, Chief Chekwas Okories, among others. LEADERSHIP gathered that some PDP chieftains are seriously pressurising the leadership of Ohanaeze to endorse Jonathan for the 2015 elections. Speaking at the meeting, president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwe had told members of Imeobi including PDP politicians who attended the meeting that he deliberately included “Ndigbo and 2015 Presidential Election” in the agenda to attract prominent people to the meeting. He, however, said he had continued to insist that nobody had been endorsed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the 2015 presidential elections. Igariwe said they would continue to carry out consultations, noting that candidates of different political parties have not even emerged, hence the need to continue consultations. He, however, assured that when the time comes for endorsement of any candidate, they would consult and know the next line of action to take. “Ohanaeze has not endorsed anybody and that is the truth; we are still consulting. Candidates have not even emerged from any political party,” he stated. On the insecurity challenges facing the country, Igariwe said there was need to look into the plight of Igbos in the areas captured in some parts of the North. He expressed dismay that those in the captured areas who were willing to come home were yet to get means of transportation. A former governor ship candidate of the All Progressive Congress and serving senator, Chris Ngige,who also spoke at the meeting had advocated the insulation of OHANAEZE from partisan politics. He recalled that Ohanaeze suffered in the past when a candidate it support for the presidential election failed and advised Imeobi members not to make a similar mistake. Ngige insisted that since the body has own it’s sons in the different political parties, there was need for the apex igbo body to be insulated from partisan politics. He, however, stated that he did not attend the meeting because of the presidency issue, saying he came because he got an invitation from the leadership of OHANAEZE. Also opposing the moves to endorse Jonathan, the founder and National Chairman of the United Progressive Party, chief Chekwas Okorie commended the President General of Ohanaeze over the matured way he handled the issue, adding that though political parties and their candidates have right to say their opinions, Ohanaeze should not toe the same path.
Posted on: Mon, 10 Nov 2014 20:09:01 +0000
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