As the march to the general elections in 2019 hots up, Igbo leaders are divided in their endorsement between President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the ticket of Abubakar Atiku/Obi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Those rooting for the Atiku/Obi ticket of the PDP, campaigns that the aspiration of the Igbo nation will be represented especially as it regards restructuring.
A group of Igbo leaders on Wednesday, 14 November, 2018 held a one day non – partisan and inclusive summit in Enugu to consider Ndigbo’s place in the polity especially in the light of the forth coming 2019 elections.
Also the summit was premised on the years of exclusion of the Igbos.
The group observed that the nation has never been this divided as the Igbos have always yearned for a level playing field with justice, equity, and fairness.
Supporting the Atiku/Obi ticket the group stated: “The summit recognised the nomination of 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 in the center of governance. It is therefore important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/Obi ticket.
“We identify with the Atiku/Peter Obi ticket on the restructuring agenda as has been reiterated by 4 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 center will continue to be weak. We equally move to appreciate the position of the Atiku/Obi ticket in promoting national unity.
Hence the time is now for Ndigbo to mobilize and organize effectively to realize the Atiku/Obi ticket, the group said adding that it was not campaigning against anyone but the survival of the Igbo people.
Whereas the other group led by HRH Oliver Ohanwe, the traditional ruler of Ihim Autonomous community in Isiala Mbano Local government area, Imo State endorsed President Muhammed Buhari for re election in 2019.
The Ohanwe group hold the belief that if Buhari is returned to power in 2019, an Igbo man would easily ascend to office of the Presidency in 2023.
“Buhari is working hard to ensure peace and unity in the country.
Also, corruption has been reduced to about 75 percent even as the President do not discriminate against any ethnic group in the country.
The Buhari administration has not only resuscitated moribund industries but through his programmes and policies, Nigeria has regained its dignity”, the group said.
