The Anambra State Government has disassociated itself from a purported communiqué issued by Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorsing the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the Februay 16 presidential election.
Abubakar is the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the February 16 election.
Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to Anambra Government made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu State.
Chukwulobelu declared that the contents of the communiqué did not reflect the Anambra Government’s position.
It will be recalled that an arm of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo ‘Ime Obi’ arising from a meeting on Thursday in Enugu declared support for Abubakar.
Ime Obi is like a rapid response arm of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, comprising delegations from the seven states that make up the organisation including state governors.
However, Chukwulobelu expressed dismay that the 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.
Chukwulobelu said,“We have read bits of the communiqué purportedly issued by the Ohanaeze leadership. We regret that they do not reflect the position of the people and Government of Anambra State.
“The position of the Anambra State Government is that Ohanaeze should remain a united umbrella for all Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any party.
“There are major leaders in all political parties, including the three major ones in Nigeria, namely, All Progressives Grand Alliance, All Progressives Congress and PDP.
“It is deeply regrettable that the Ohanaeze leadership has chosen to go down a divisive trajectory capable of setting back Igbo unity for several years,” he said.
The SSG said that Governor Willie Obiano had sent a delegation to attend the Ime Obi meeting summoned by the organisation in Enugu.
“Our delegation arrived early enough to participate in the meeting of Ime Obi scheduled to start at 7pm on Thursday.
“We were surprised to learn that the meeting had been held earlier and lasted for a mere 30 minutes.
“The representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, who arrived at the venue before the time the meeting was scheduled to start was also surprised that it had already taken place.
“The same goes for others like the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige,” he said.
Chukwulobelu said that they were shocked that the meeting was even slated for a day President Muhammadu Buhari was campaigning in Anambra and Enugu States.
He said that Buhari’s visit to Anambra was to honour Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, First Republic President of Nigeria, and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo was expected to participate actively.
“We were, indeed, surprised that the Ime Obi meeting could hold today (on Thursday) of all days.
‘‘We had expected Ohaneze leaders to participate actively in the inauguration of the Zik Mausoleum, Onitsha, Anambra State,” he said.
Chukwulobelu said that the Mausoleum which had been under construction for the past 23 years was completed by the Buhari’s Administration which was a big honour to Azikwe, an Igbo man.
