2019: This is ‘for our very survival’; Igbo leaders endorse Atiku/Obi ticket at Enugu meeting

Igbo leaders in a meeting on Wednesday in Enugu State concluded that the support of people of the zone are for presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi.

Among other reasons, the people said that the resolved to support Atiku/Obi ticket based on the restructuring agenda of the PDP candidate and his vice.

The meeting had in attendance Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo Leaders of Thought, political elite, intelligentsia, women groups, religious leaders, among others.

In a communique read on behalf of Ndigbo by Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) and entitled “Ndigbo 2019 and beyond Summit” the people said:

“The Igbo people of Nigeria held a one day non-partisan and inclusive summit, convened by elders, traditional and religious leaders on November 14 2018, to consider Ndigbo’s place in the polity, especially in the light of the forthcoming 2019 elections.

“The summit deliberated on the state on Ndigbo in Nigeria today, especially after years of exclusion from the centre. This country has never been so divided as it is today. We, Igbo, have always yearned for a level playing field with justice, equity and fairness.

“The summit recognised the nomination of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP and fully endorse this nomination. It was acknowledged that this nomination puts Ndigbo back to the centre of governance. It is therefore important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/Obi ticket.

“We identify with Atiku/ Obi ticket on the restructuring agenda as has been reiterated by the four zones of the country, namely South-South, South west, North central and South east. We believe that as long as the federating units remain weak, the centre will continue to be weak. We equally move to appreciate the position of the Atiku/Obi ticket in promoting national unity.

“In conclusion, the summit reiterated that the time is now for Ndigbo to mobilise and organise effectively, realise the Atiku/Obi ticket. We are not campaigning against anybody, we are simply campaigning for our very survival. Igbo votes must count wherever leave in Nigeria.”

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Earlier at the meeting, Ohanaeze Ndigbo president general, Chief Nnia Nwodo, said although they would meet in January to decided the way forward for Ndigbo, but that interviewed already conducted by his committee to find a president for the country showed that Atiku performed better that other presidential candidates.

According to Nwodo, four million Igbo reside in Lagos; 11.6 million in the north and 500,000 in China, among others. He then argued that Igbo votes can make the difference if counted.

Atiku who attended the meeting along with his running mate was welcomed with emotional embrace the chairman of the Igbo Leaders of thought, Professor Ben Nwabueze.

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