2019: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Reveal Their Stand On Presidential Election

Igbo socio- cultural organisation , Ohanaeze Ndigbo has denied endorsing Alhaji Atiku Abubakar , the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 presidential election.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the organisation , Mr Chuks Ibegbu disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu at a media briefing to mark the second anniversary of the current executive of the organisation .

Ibegbu said that the clarification became necessary following misconceptions of the event of November 14 , 2018, where some Igbo leaders endorsed the candidacy of Atiku Abubakar for the presidency.

It would be recalled that some Igbo leaders had during a meeting in Enugu attended by Atiku and the national leaders of the PDP including the Senate President , Dr . Bukola Saraki endorsed Atiku.

Ibegbu , however , clarified that the said endorsement was done by the friends of Atiku , adding that the organisation had not endorsed any particular candidate .

The deputy national publicity secretary said that the organisation needed to be circumspect , “as our children are in all the political parties . ’

“ It is erroneous to say that we endorsed Atiku. Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not endorse anybody . That meeting at Nike Lake Resort was organised by friends of Atiku .

“ However , due to our peculiar circumstance in the country, we will identify with candidates that will restructure Nigeria if voted into power , ” he said .

He said that the organisation would soon meet to take a holistic position on the 2019 general elections .

“ Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been canvassing for our people to identify with candidates that will restructure Nigeria .

“ We still stand on that and in the next few days we shall meet to take a holistic position on the elections , ” he said .

Ibegbu noted that within the two years in office of the Chief John Nwodo led Ohanaeze Ndigbo , “ we have given our modest contribution by re- jigging Igbo leadership and issues concerning our people” .

He said that the current leadership of the organisation had built synergy with its affiliate groups with a view to achieving unity in the area .