ATTEMPTS by some prominent Igbo politicians to get the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to endorse a presidential candidate for the 2015 general elections failed yesterday as the body declined.



A well attended meeting of leaders of Ndigbo as well as those of different political parties, including United Peoples Party (UPP) and All Progressives Congress (APC), had "Ndigbo and 2015 general elections" as one of the items in the agenda of the meeting.



It was alleged that the agenda was included following pressure by some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains that the apex organization should take a position on the 2015 election on the ground that other groups in the southeast had endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan's return.



At the meeting were the National Chairman of the UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, whose party has zoned the presidency to southeast, Senator Chris Ngige, who represented the APC, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, Chief Dozie Ikedife, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya among others.



But speaking at the meeting, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Enwo Igariwey, told the gathering that he deliberately included " Ndigbo and 2015 Presidential Election" to attract prominent politicians to the meeting, stressing that Ohanaeze had earlier taken a position on the matter.



He said that despite the pressure being mounted for the group to take a stand, he had continued to insist that nobody has been endorsed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the 2015 presidential elections.



Igariwey said they would continue to carry out consultations, noting that candidates of different political parties have not even emerged, hence the need to continue consultations. He, however, assured that when the time comes for endorsement of any candidate, they would consult and know the next line of action to take.





"Ohanaeze has not endorsed anybody and that is the truth, we are still consulting. Candidates have not even emerged from any political party," he stated.



On the insecurity challenges facing the country, Igariwey said there is need to look into the plight of Igbo in the areas captured in some parts of the North.



He expressed dismay that those in the captured areas who are willing to come back home were yet to get means of transportation outside the troubled towns.



Ngige, who also spoke at the meeting had advocated theinsulation of Ohanaeze from partisan politics. He recalled that Ohanaeze suffered in the past when a candidate it supported for the presidential election failed. He advised the gathering not to repeat similar mistake. Ngige insisted that since the body has its own sons in the different political parties, there is need for the group to be insulated from partisan politics.



He, however, stated that he did not attend the meeting because of the presidency issue, saying he came because he got an invitation from the leadership of Ohanaeze.



Also contributing, Okorie opposed moves to endorse any presidential aspirant. He commended the President General of Ohanaeze over the matured way he handled the issue. He added that though political parties and their candidates have the right to say their opinions, Ohanaeze should not toe the same path.





http://allafrica.com/stories/201411101996.html

you sure say na true news be this?

john403:
you sure say na true news be this?

We do not carry fake news in bro. Its allafrica.com. it is a reputable news agency. Vanguard is also running the same news.

In a sane environment, a people oriented leader will not be seeking for endorsement when the militant is taking over some territory and some citizens are being sent to their untimely grave by suicide bomber, a leader of the people right now would show enough concern to visit the distressed territories and people, but unfortunately for Jonathan it is the most appropriate and convenient time to make declaring of his second time intention and to lobby groups for endorsement.

focus7:
In a sane environment, a people oriented leader will not be seeking for endorsement when the militant is taking over some territory and some citizens are being sent to their untimely grave by suicide bomber, a leader of the people right now would show enough concern to visit the distressed territories and people, but unfortunately for Jonathan it is the most appropriate and convenient time to make declaring of his second time intention and to lobby groups for endorsement.

I almost got fo.oled by thinking you were unbiased until I realised the subtext. You're implying the president does no campaigning giving his opponents undue edge in our election less than 3 months away.
Buhari, Atiku etc are leaders of this great nation, shouldn't they stop their electioneering also?