[size=18pt] Igbo Summit: Ohaneze dissociates self from Jonathan’s endorsement
…President yet to decide on 2011 -Aide[/size]

Wednesday, August 18, 2010



The apex Igbo body, Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, has distanced itself from the resolution of the Igbo political summit which, last Monday, endorsed the touted presidential ambition of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation insisted that the Igbos were yet to take a position on the matter.

Secretary-General of the group, Chief Nduka Eya, who spoke to our reporter in Enugu, yesterday, noted that what was held in Enugu Monday was a political summit, “and you know we are not a political organization. So, their stand has nothing to do with Ohaneze. Ohaneze is careful about what it says, that’s why we are still consulting.”

“I don’t think we should be in a hurry to take a position. These are people looking for something and that is not part of Ohaneze programme. Our problem is how to unite our people so that we can stand and talk as a people and that is what we are concerned about.

“So, what happened was organized by an interest group and you know that it will not be the last because more groups will surely organize their own summit and reach similar decisions.
“We don’t get involved in independent political agenda because we are an umbrella body and we are interested in what concerns all Igbos because so many of us belong to different political parties. Ohaneze tolerates different political views but as the umbrella body we make wide consultations and provide a neutral ground for the best decision that will have the overall interest of all Igbos.”
Also speaking on the summit, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze, Ralph Ndigwe, noted that this time was a very crucial period and “what the Ohaneze is doing is that we are doing wide consultations, reaching out to all stakeholders no matter the party because it is a serious issue and Igbos must be very careful in taking a stand.

“We are yet to take a stand and even when the matter came up at the Imeobi, we agreed that we must tread carefully. So, we are consulting and at the end of the day we may convene an Igbo summit that will be all inclusive and where everybody will participate, no matter the party one belongs.”
The South-East Political Summit, which held at the Presidential Hotel, Enugu, had, in a three-point communiqué, endorsed Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for the 2011 presidential election, noting that the Igbos would not want to play the second fiddle any longer.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who was the first to speak at the event, had urged the Igbos to adopt Jonathan so he could complete the joint ticket of late President Umaru Yar’Adua, arguing that due to the constitutional provisions only he could govern for four years after which he would support an Igbo president.
Also, the Chairman of the summit, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, noted that only a Jonathan president could guarantee an Igbo president in 2015 and urged the Igbos to weigh their options properly and support their South South neighbours.

He warned the people of the South East against supporting a candidate they were not sure would be victorious at the polls; “at least it is a known fact that no incumbent president has lost an election in Africa and this will definitely not be different.”
The absence of the five governors of the South East as well as political office holders from the zone at the Summit almost took the shine off the event but the Ohaneze has assured that its summit would be all inclusive and must involve everybody in Igbo land.

Meanwhile, the Presidency has denied reports in Reuters, an international news agency, quoting “Presidency” sources that President Jonathan might have decided against running in next year’s elections.
A statement from Ima Niboro, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, to the President, accused interested parties of sponsoring the story.
It stated that the president had not said whether he would run or not, adding that he had, at different times, given reasons why he considered it premature to make any commitment either way.
“At the appropriate time, the president will inform his country men and women of his future plans. Until then, every comment on the subject remains mere speculation,” the statement said.

http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/news/national/2010/aug/18/national-18-08-2010-001.htm

chyz:

He warned the people of the South East against supporting a candidate they were not sure would be victorious at the polls; “at least it is a known fact that no incumbent president has lost an election in Africa and this will definitely not be different.”
The absence of the five governors of the South East as well as political office holders from the zone at the Summit almost took the shine off the event but the Ohaneze has assured that its summit would be all inclusive and must involve everybody in Igbo land.

see advice ooo . . . .

Vote the candidate you know is going to win, not necessarily the candidate running on the best platform. na wa ooo !!  ROFLMAO!!!

I have been saying it that the so called Igbo Summit held yesterday was a charade arranged by GEJ's camp. . . . . Imagine, a discredited politician like Iwuanyanwu speaking on behalf of Ndigbo

Hmm. . . .

Now this is what a real Igbo group does. Not being quick to jump the broom. I hope seanet02 will now eat his own words about whos socio-cultural group is smarter or not.