2019: Nwabueze, Igbo Leaders Endorse Atiku/Obi PDP Ticket

Prominent Igbo leaders, including elders, traditional and religious leaders as well as women groups, Wednesday rose from a one-day meeting in Enugu and endorsed the joint presidential ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi for the 2019 general election.

Also, renowned Constitutional Lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, did not only throw his weight behind the Atiku presidential project, but also urged Ngigbo to support the project, insisting that the actualisation of the ticket remains the visible means of political survival for Ndigbo.

He specifically said the Atiku project was his last wish "before I join my ancestors."

In a five-point communique issued at the end of the summit with the theme: ‘Ndigbo 2019 and Beyond’, held in Enugu, the leaders said their position was based on the restructuring agenda put on the table by Atiku and Obi, which four zones of the country had agreed on.

The communique read by a legal luminary, Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) said: “The Igbo people of Nigeria held a one-day non-partisan 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 of 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 Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP, and fully endorsed this nomination.  It was acknowledged that this nomination puts Ndigbo back in the centre of governance.  It is therefore important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/Obi ticket.

“We identify with the Atiku and Obi ticket on the restructuring agenda as it has been reiterated by four zones of the country namely: South-south Southwest, North Central and Southeast.  We believe that as long as the federating units remain weak, the centre would 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 to realise the Atiku/Obi ticket.  We are not campaigning against anybody; we are simply campaigning for our very survival.  Igbo votes must count wherever Ndigbo live in Nigeria.”

 

Earlier, before the meeting christened ‘Ahamefula, Ndigbo and The Future’ which was held at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, went into closed door, Nwabueze said Igbo should work hard to actualise the Atiku/Obi ticket as a special gift to him, stressing that the best position Igbo should take ahead of the forthcoming presidential election was to stand firmly in support  of the candidate that can ensure their survival in Nigeria.

“It is unfortunate that those who pioneered the independence of the country have been totally alienated in their own country, and that is why we are here.  We have to support the ticket that will ensure our (Igbo) survival. That ticket is the joint ticket of Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

“We must not allow this opportunity to slip out of our hands.  If we, the Igbo leaders, gathered here cannot actualise this ticket, then we should be ashamed of ourselves.  We must work hard to achieve this because it is the best way for us to go at this time.”

 

Among personalities present at the meeting were Professor Nwabueze, George Obiozor, Ohanaeze Ndigbo President, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Professor ABC Nwosu, Senator Chris Anyanwu, Senator Ben Obi,  Chief Achike Udenwa,  Professor Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, Senator Theodore Orji, Chief Emeka Ugwu-Oju,  Chief Garry Igariwey,  Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Frank Ogbuewu,  Professor Osita Ogbu,  Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo,  Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, Professor Walter Ofonagoro, Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Commodore James Aneke (rtd), Professor Elochukwu Amucheazi, Professor Uzodinma Nwala, Senator Adophus Wabara, Air Comdr Allison Madueke (rtd), Obi of Onitsha; Igwe Afred Achebe; Prof. Anya O. Anya and  Professor Chudi Uwazurike, Major Gen. Obi Umahi (rtd) among many others.