The state government has maintained its stand against the communiqué issued by Imeobi Ohaneze Ndigbo endorsing the PDP candidate for the February sixteen Presidential election.
The Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu restated the stand during a press conference at Golden Tulip Agulu Lake Hotel, Agulu Anaocha local government area.
Professor Chukwulobelu who noted that the content of the communiqué did not reflect the State
Government’s position on next month’s general elections, wondered why an Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation had decided to be partisan, in spite of the fact that members of the organisation belong to different political parties stating categorically that the position of Anambra State Government is that Ohaneze should remain a united umbrella for Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any political party.
While giving an insight into what transpired at Enugu, the SSG disclosed that the meeting was held earlier before the scheduled time and lasted for about thirty minutes which according to him denied other delegates including Anambra delegation, the representative of the Ebonyi State
Government, Dr Eric Igwe, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, who also came for the meeting opportunity to participate.
Professor Chukwulobelu also wondered why Ohaneze Ndigbo would schedule such important meeting the same day President Muhammadu Buhari visited Anambra state to commission the Zik’s Mausoleum at Onitsha.
He explained that the Late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe deserves more respect and honour especially from his kinsmen as he was a great statesman of Igbo extraction, stressing that the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo should have been part of the honour for Zik as they were duly invited but chose to stay away from the event.
The SSG maintained that APGA as a political party will continue to support all its candidates in the forthcoming general elections and called on Ndi Anambra to continue to support the party to sustain the good work going on in different parts of the State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C. Don Adinuba restated that the state government has remained committed to promoting and championing the affairs of NdiIgbo which informed the decision of the state to sponsor the first ever Ohanaeze Ndigbo Summit in Anambra State and also sponsored Ozoemezina event, the occasion that was used to honour and bury Biafrians who died during the civil war.
Mr Adinuba noted that Governor Obiano has continued to constructively engage all political parties and stakeholders in piloting the affairs of the state including the federal government through a policy of constructive engagement rather than confrontation and cautioned that the destiny of a people and sacred institutions should not be used for politics.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Barrister Ifeatu Obiokoye in his contribution, questioned the validity of the statement from Ohaneze President General, John Nnia -Nwodo as it was not countersigned by the Secretary General of the Association, noting that
it was a pointer that there is a split in Ohanaeze as regards to the endorsement of PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
He noted that it is disgraceful to Igbo race that an important event aimed at honouring the great Zik of Africa was being organized by the federal government, and some stakeholders planned a parallel event and meeting, pointing out that Ime Obi does not take the final decisions for Ohanaeze as the General Assembly should ratify its decisions which he observed has not yet happened.
Among those at the Press Conference were the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Indigenous Art work, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo and MD/CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Uche Nworah among others.
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