By Adadainfo
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Sunday, said it had adopted Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Ohanaeze hinged its position on the principles of zoning and rotation of power in Nigeria which has been in existence since 1999, affirming that it is the turn of the South East of Nigeria to produce the president in 2023.
Ohanaeze further said its position stemmed from responses it got from patriotic Nigerians and groups justifying that the South East should get the presidency come 2023.
Dr Alex Ogbonnia, the national publicity secretary of Ohanaeze, stated this in a statement.
According to him, “Ohanaeze works in collaboration with the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising the Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Leaders and Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by an elder statesman, Chief E K Clarke.
“The group endorsed Mr Peter Obi as their candidate for the 2023 general elections. Therefore, on the SMBLF endorsement, Ohanaeze stands.
“On the other hand, Ohanaeze took a commodity to the market and the world are clamouring for it. We are fulfilled that Nigeria is now in full possession of the commodity.”
The statement quoted Prof George Obiozor, president general of Ohanaeze, as saying that ‘Obi has filled what could have been a very sad gap’.
The statement continues, “Obi represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, redemption epiphany and above all, the Igbo collective unconscious.
“The philosophy of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide finds a cogent expression in the symbol of Nigerian unity and a beacon of hope as epitomized by Mr Peter Obi.
“It needs be added that the Ohanaeze support to Obi is not only based on equity and justice, but also on merit, competence, track record of accomplishments and the veritable ideas that he espouses for a better Nigeria.
“A lot has been said that the Labour Party, especially as it concerns Obi, has no structure. It needs to be pointed out that the Obi movement is a massive disruptive reaction against the despicable Nigerian pathologies.
“People use the Obi phenomenon to express dissatisfaction with the status quo. It is a revolt against injustice, poverty, unemployment, corruption and all forms of vicious circles that have become the trademark of Nigeria.
“Every revolution in history is a structural change. What the Obi movement stands for is to dismantle whatever structure that has brought us to this intractable tragedy and reprehensible denouement.”
On the double endorsement by the Afenifere, one faction to Mr Peter Obi and the other to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, Ohanaeze stated that, “Even in the kingdom of God, there was a faction. One represents light, truth, equity, justice, reasonableness and a bright future while the other represents the very opposites. But, surely, history will always vindicate the just.”
