Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, an Igbo socio-cultural organization has explained its decision to massively back the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
A statement on Monday by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia read, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has canvassed to various eminent persons in Nigeria, seeking their support for the president from the South East come 2023. We are delighted by the responses from various groups and highly placed patriotic Nigerians.”
The organisation said it stood on the position of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) endorsing the Southeast to produce the next president.
“Ohanaeze works in collaboration with the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising the Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Leaders, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by an elder-statesman, Chief E K Clarke.
“Therefore, on the SMBLF endorsement, we stand, most irrevocably
“The group in its quest for Nigerian unity, peace and sustainable national development has endorsed Mr. Peter Obi as their candidate for the 2023 general elections.
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It added, “The resolve of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for the 2023 general election is constant, consistent and very clear, without any form of equivocation whatsoever.
“In the first place, going by the principles of zoning and rotation of power in Nigeria which has been in existence since 1999, it is the turn of the Southeast of Nigeria to produce the president in 2023.
Ohanaeze said it was excited to take an acceptable commodity to the market.
The organisation added: “The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor, explained that Obi has filled what could have been a very sad gap.
“Therefore, Obi represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, redemption epiphany and above all, the Igbo collective unconscious.
“The philosophy of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide finds a cogent expression in the symbol of Nigerian unity and a beacon of hope as epitomized by Mr. Peter Obi.
“It needs be added that the Ohanaeze support to Obi is not only based on equity and justice but also on merit, competence, track record of accomplishments and the veritable ideas that Obi espouses for a better Nigeria.
“A lot has been said that the Labour Party, especially as it concerns Obi, has no structure.
“It needs to be pointed out that the Obi movement is a massive disruptive reaction against the deplorable Nigerian pathologies.
“People use the Obi phenomenon to express dissatisfaction with the status quo.
“It is a revolt against injustice, poverty, unemployment, corruption and all forms of vicious circles that have6 become the trademark of Nigeria.”
