ENUGU- THE Igbo leaders, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Igbo Leaders of Thought, the political elite, the intelligentsia, women groups, religious leaders, among others, have resolved to support the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Mr. Peter Obi in the 2019 presidential election.They said that they would identify with Atiku and his deputy because of their promise to restructure the country along geopolitical zones.

This was contained in a communique read on behalf of Ndigbo by Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN). The communique titled “Ndigbo 2019 and beyond Summit read: “The Igbo people of Nigeria held a one day non-partisian 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 id 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.”

Speaking earlier, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo has said that although would meet in January to decided the way forward for Ndigbo, Atiku performed better that other presidential candidates interviewed by his committee to find a president for the country. He said that there were four million Igbo residing in Lagos; 11.6 million in the north and 500,000 in China, among others, pointing out that Igbo votes can make the difference if counted.

Nwodo suggested that among the issues that should be presented to Atiku should restructuring, completion of second Niger bridge, building of railways across eastern states and well as maltreatment of Ndigbo in Nigeria. Also speaking, wife of former president of Nigeria, Prof Uche Azikwe said that there should be written agreement between Ndigbo and Atiku over his polices to serve a reference point. Senator Ike Nwachukwu, Chief SN Okeke, Dr. Okesilieze Nwodo also spoke their different states.

Omololu001:
I can't believe yeebos can endorse a Fulani Muslim man from Adamawa state

Should we now say yeebos are slaves of Fulani's

Every tribe in Nigeria has the right to vote and align with whoever they want, there is nothing like one north or one south.

Kryptomeniac:
After looking at the political calculation ..... If we ndigbo no settle for Atiku/Obi ticket, wetin we gain....

As for the dullard, 2019 isn't far, duara needs ur full attention. Let's try another person. No one an personalize Nigeria while we still have our PVC in our hands.

BeautifulMind2:

Yoruba youths

Omololu001:
this is the first time I will be hearing of this Yoruba youths

Tell me how atiku will restructure Nigeria?

argon500:


Hahhaha. You are wicked oo. Ever since Osinbajo tackled Atiku, have you heard of him saying anything about restructuring since then? Those who are gullible will continue to be.

doctokwus:
No one should hide under any guise of being neutral.
Buhari has shown an open hatred for the Ibo tribe,he has openly said same,in unambiguous language,and has demonstrated it in practical terms in his appointments.
The Ibo should therefore not shy away from showing him the hatred is mutual.
They have the right,collectively or individually to reject or support Buhari, and they have collectively said they reject him in clear and unambiguous tones.
Let him look for support in other zones, and let every zone bear the cross if he wins to rule for another 4 years.

Omololu001:
Nigeria still has a long way to go, cause majority of our(Nigerians) people are still ignorant.

It will be so hard for a president to force restructuring on the country, it can only be done by the National Assembly in conjunction with the States house of assemblies.

The president can only do it through the Attorney General if he can ask the supreme court to suspend the constitution cause it was forced on us by the military, and there might be anarchy in the country if it's done that way.

And only a strong man that believes in restructuring can take such a bold step, not a man like atiku, atiku will never restructure Nigeria, cause all the northern states will collapse, most of the southern states will also collapse.

Corrinthians:
Please Id like to ask a couple of questions.

- After the defeat of the preferred candidate of Ndigbo in 2015 presidential election, they rented the air and cyberspace with cries about Yorubas being "betrayers".

- Not done with calling them betrayers, they went on to call them "Hausa/Fulani slaves" because they chose to vote a Fulani man, Buhari, who triumphed over their preferred candidate.

Now..

1. What makes Yorubas betrayers for choosing to exercise their freedom of association? Did they cut any deal with the Ndigbo to support Jonathan? Who were the political leaders that made the deal with Ndigbo on behalf of Yorubas?

2. What makes Yorubas slaves? Since when did forming political alliances in furtherance and promotion of a people's collective interest amount to SLAVERY?

3. What did Yorubas do then which Ndigbo aren't doing now, especially with one of their sons chosen as the VP candidate same way a Yoruba son was picked by Buhari?

Lastly and most importantly..

How would Igbos feel if those same words they have been using to describe Yorubas since 2015 is now used to describe them?

Corrinthians:

3. What did Yorubas do then which Ndigbo aren't doing now, especially with one of their sons chosen as the VP candidate same way a Yoruba son was picked by Buhari?

Kryptomeniac:
After looking at the political calculation ..... If we ndigbo no settle for Atiku/Obi ticket, wetin we gain....

As for the dullard, 2019 isn't far, duara needs ur full attention. Let's try another person. No one an personalize Nigeria while we still have our PVC in our hands.

doctokwus:
No one should hide under any guise of being neutral.
Buhari has shown an open hatred for the Ibo tribe,he has openly said same,in unambiguous language,and has demonstrated it in practical terms in his appointments.
The Ibo should therefore not shy away from showing him the hatred is mutual.
They have the right,collectively or individually to reject or support Buhari, and they have collectively said they reject him in clear and unambiguous tones.
Let him look for support in other zones, and let every zone bear the cross if he wins to rule for another 4 years.

Ojiofor:


The only thing Ndi Igbo hasn't done is to support a northerner against an incumbent southerner which the Yorubas did in 2015.

Omololu001:
hope you won't start crying about Biafra when buhari wins in 2019?

Roger3D:
Then they should be prepared to accept the consequences when Buhari gets reelected cos this time around they will cry tears of blood

Corrinthians:
Please Id like to ask a couple of questions.

- After the defeat of the preferred candidate of Ndigbo in 2015 presidential election, they rented the air and cyberspace with cries about Yorubas being "betrayers".

- Not done with calling them betrayers, they went on to call them "Hausa/Fulani slaves" because they chose to vote a Fulani man, Buhari, who triumphed over their preferred candidate.

Now..

1. What makes Yorubas betrayers for choosing to exercise their freedom of association? Did they cut any deal with the Ndigbo to support Jonathan? Who were the political leaders that made the deal with Ndigbo on behalf of Yorubas?

2. What makes Yorubas slaves? Since when did forming political alliances in furtherance and promotion of a people's collective interest amount to SLAVERY?

3. What did Yorubas do then which Ndigbo aren't doing now, especially with one of their sons chosen as the VP candidate same way a Yoruba son was picked by Buhari?

Lastly and most importantly..

How would Igbos feel if those same words they have been using to describe Yorubas since 2015 is now used to describe them?