The Anambra State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the major Igbo cultural organisation, has endorsed the choice of Peter Obi, a former governor of the state, as the vice presidential candidate of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2019 general elections.
Damian Okeke-Ogene, President of Anambra’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo chapter, said at a conference in Akwa, the state capital, that the organisation decided to endorse the candidacy of Obi because he is popular across Igbo land and has proven his leadership capability.
Okeke-Ogene also taunted Igbo presidential candidates for the 2019 election, labelling them as individuals who possessed little influence to achieve great feats.
He said, “You know in this presidential race that some contestants are like somebody trying to go to Lagos from here by bicycle, while others are like somebody trying to do the same journey by aircraft.
“So, we have chosen the person we shall support in that election based on his acceptability, capacity and chances to achieve result.”
In a statement later released, the organisation disclosed that its endorsement of Obi and the PDP was in line with the resolutions of the South East Summit, which agreed to support a candidate who believes in the idea of the country’s restructuring.
The statement read, ”The journey to 2019 has started and is gathering momentum.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo has earlier made its stand clear in line with the South East Summit held on 21st May 2018 at Ekwueme Square, Awka, tagged “Ekwueme Square Declaration,” to support every effort towards restructuring the country to give every zone a sense of belonging and promote equity, justice and fairness that would give Ndigbo and every other part of the country a sense of belonging.
“In line with this, Ohanaeze Ndigbo resolved to support any political party and candidate with a manifesto of actualising the restructuring.
“This is why Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter, is declaring total support for the choice of Mr. Peter Obi, the former Governor of the state, as the running mate to the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.”
The organisation congratulated Obi on his nomination and also the PDP for accepting him as the choice of Atiku.
