By CHARLES IWUOHA

The main stream of apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation; Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by prof.George Obiozor, has announced their endorsement of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a statement signed by it's National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, said their position is in tandem with the position of 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.

According to the statement, Obi represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, redemption epiphany and above all, the Igbo collective unconscious.

The group added that “their 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 Obi espouses for a better Nigeria.”

The statement also frowned at the double endorsement by Afenifere, adding that one “represents light, truth, equity, justice, reasonableness and a bright future while the other represents the very opposites.”

The statement reads in part" The resolve of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for the 2023 general election is constant, consistent and very clear; without any form of equivocation whatsoever. In the first place, going by the principles of zoning and rotation of power in Nigeria which has been in existence since 1999, it is the turn of the South East of Nigeria to produce the president in 2023.

"Firstly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has canvassed to various eminent persons in Nigeria, seeking their supports for the presidency to the South East come 2023. We are delighted by the responses from various groups and highly placed patriotic Nigerians.

"Secondly, 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 in its quest for Nigerian unity, peace and sustainable national development has endorsed Mr. Peter Obi as their candidate for the 2023 general elections. Therefore, on the SMBLF endorsement Ohanaeze stand, most irrevocably.

"On the other hand, Ohanaeze took a commodity to the market and the world are clamouring for it, we are rather very excited, happy and fulfilled that Nigeria is now in full possession of the commodity.

President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor explained that Obi has filled what could have been a very sad gap.

"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 Obi 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 deplorable 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. In other words, every revolution is a structural change.

"What the Obi movement stands for is to dismantle or change what ever structure that has brought us to this intractable tragedy and reprehensible denouement; the structure that has been a knee on the neck of Nigerians.

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