Gov Obiano dissociates Anambra govt from Ohanaeze’s support for Atiku/Obi

Governor Willie Obiano-led government of Anambra State has said it was not in support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar.

In a communiqué, arising from Ime Obi meeting of the Ohanaeze on Thursday, the Igbo apex decision-making body said after all considerations, especially on the issue of restructuring and Atiku’s choice of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, as his vice presidential candidate, it had decided to endorse the PDP candidate for the February 16 presidential election.

Apparently unhappy with the declaration, the Obiano-led government said in a statement through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, that it was not in agreement with Ohanaeze’s endorsement of Atiku.

The state government argued that the contents of the communiqué failed to reflect the Anambra Government’s position.

“The position of the Anambra State Government is that Ohanaeze should remain a united umbrella for all Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any party.

“There are major leaders in all political parties, including the three major ones in Nigeria, namely, All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress and PDP.

“It is deeply regrettable that the Ohanaeze leadership has chosen to go down a divisive trajectory capable of setting back Igbo unity for several years,” he said.

The SSG also faulted the Ime Obi meeting in Enugu where the decision on Atiku was reached, saying Anambra Government was surprised that the meeting held earlier than planned.

He said, “Our delegation arrived early enough to participate in the meeting of Ime Obi scheduled to start at 7pm on Thursday. We were surprised to learn that the meeting had been held earlier and lasted for a mere 30 minutes.

“The representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, who arrived at the venue before the time the meeting was scheduled to start was also surprised that it had already taken place.

“The same goes for others like the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.”

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He further said that it was shocking that the meeting was even fixed on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was campaigning in Anambra and Enugu states.

Buhari had used his visit to Anambra to also inaugurate Dr Nnamdi Azikwe’s, the First Republic President of Nigeria, Mausoleum.

“We were, indeed, surprised that the Ime Obi meeting could hold today (on Thursday) of all days. We had expected Ohaneze leaders to participate actively in the inauguration of the Zik Mausoleum, Onitsha, Anambra State,” Chukwulobelu said.

Anambra government position may not be unconnected with the rift that has continued to exist between incumbent governor Obiano and his predecessor Obi, who is now Atiku’s running mate.

There are speculations that Obiano may want to pay Obi back in his on coin for opposing his re-election as the state governor in November 2019.

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