How to wrong foot the North was the crux of the meeting President Goodluck Jonathan held with Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Aso Rock on Wednesday, Sunday Independent gathered, as mixed greetings greet the group’s endorsement of the President for the 2011 ballot.

The meeting was held at the instance of Jonathan who personally invited the Ohanaeze President-General,  Ralph Uwaechue who in turn called his lieutenants in the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the organisation to attend the parley.

On Uwaechue’s entourage were former Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ojo Maduekwe;  former Aviation Minister, Mbazulike Amechi; Acting Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Eddy Onuoha; Publicity Secretary, Ralph Ndigwe; Professor Anya O. Anya; and Dr (Mrs.) Uche Azikiwe.

Former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim promised to cut short his visit to London and join the delegation but called later to say he missed his flight.

A member of the delegation told Sunday Independent that Jonathan thanked Ohanaeze for the controversial endorsement, and recalled writing the group to seek Ndigbo’s support when he was Vice President to the late Umaru Yar’Adua.

He reportedly told the delegation that he needs their support more now that he wants to vie for the 2011 presidency, adding that he was very sure that a monolithic support from the entire South would give him an edge over whoever emerges the consensus candidate from the North.

Jonathan confessed to the Ohanaeze leaders that he has gotten more support from the South East than the South-South where he hails from, stressing that the Governors and Speakers of the South-East zone have endorsed him collectively and individually.

He said the Ohanaeze’s endorsement capped the gale of such backings from various organisations from the South East.

The group was said to have assured Jonathan of bloc votes from the region and from all Igbo persons domiciled elsewhere outside Igbo land.

The source said: “Before we visited the President, he had received a delegation of Northern leaders and South West leaders, so there is nothing special about Ohanaeze honouring an invitation by the President. Why should Ohanaeze’s own be different?”

Another member of the delegation who pleaded anonymity added: “What we are doing is to earn respect for Igbo man. If the Ndigbo reconcile their differences with the South-South and work with them, such gesture will never be taken for granted. If we support the North to win, at the end of the day, the North knowing that the resources of this country are in the South-South, will dump the Igbo man who they have little use of and re-align with South-South under any arrangement. It could be unity government or anything.”

That emerged as former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dozie Ikedife, expressed deep misgivings about the Aso Rock visit, saying it confirmed fears in certain quarters that the pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation has become an arm of the ruling party.

Ikedife said in a telephone interview that there is a conscious attempt to turn Ohanaeze into a wing of a political party, which should not be so.

He insisted it was premature to endorse Jonathan, who remains an aspirant for now, as doing so amounts to pre-empting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries.

He warned Ndigbo to be careful because the posture of Ohanaeze looks dangerous, especially with claims in the media that the group’s leadership may have been bought over to do the biding of Jonathan whom some Igbo leaders accuse of not sealing any deal with the region for which they could back his aspiration.

alj harem:

@topic

jason12345:

. get used to it!

@ topic

i have always said GJ should be careful so as not to be seen as a regional leader. moreover, i wonder how we can have an igbo president if by 2015 every politician would be back to their tent (no zoning). it would all be about regional interest and the region that makes the best deal wins

amingafar:

when will these people change?

chyz:

Never, Until northerners and fake northers like you change.

amingafar:

ohaneze needs not to support anyone

and advise ibo to pick the candidate of  their own choices

the middle belt has always been split which is they way its suppose to be I dont expect every igala to be with north or south

mikeansy:

There is a saying that when you are crossing a gutter, you better off crossing with each of your legs at a time.

But I am afraid Ohaneze might be jumping with both legs at the same time.

This is if this news is true.

chyz:

Never, until northerners and fake northernes like you change.

amingafar:

ohaneze needs not to support anyone

and advise ibo to pick the candidate of  their own choices

the middle belt has always been split which is they way its suppose to be I dont expect every igala to be with north or south

Abagworo:

My view is that GEJ should leave PDP in order to enjoy credibility.As for Ohaneze mingling in politics,it does not enjoy my support.I still believe it is quite early to conclude on who to vote.

jason12345:



i have agitated for this but ONLYTRUTH said that was the best decision. i think they should have not involved themselves with politics but if they want to, then they should pick their own candidate so as to be remain relevant politically before 2015 for the final assault on the presidential seat

High_Chief:

To an extent Ohanaeze should be involved politically, how best can they protect the interest of Ndigbo if not by so doing

High_Chief:

To an extent Ohanaeze should be involved politically, how best can they protect the interest of Ndigbo if not by so doing

amingafar:

Jonathan cannot leave PDP it is his party,

North doesnt not believe in Zoning it was just a tool so power can come back to us.

we all know dat only south is living on tooth and nail like its the end of the world

we have had middle belt Gowon and IBB both christian and muslim, yet southerners who are prozoning are ok with it electing IBB again does that not spell dullness

mikeansy:

Who says after May 29th 2011 Ohaneze can not pledge loyalty and support to whoever wins the election while reminding whoever gets elected their responsibility to Ndigbo as an integral part of Nigeria geopolitics?

Must Ohaneze be partisan now?

jason12345:

i do not know much about SE politics but i am very sure that, the people that KNOW their politics in that region would not support GJ

mikeansy:

Your pretence to be a Northerner is being executed poorly. Try better next time.

alj harem:

can i ask how he is pretending to be northern

so igalas think they are northern, something they are yorubas while other are igbos

it all depends on the region u want to be with

jonathan has screwed his people

[b]ohaneze have sold the se vote to the highest bider  [/b]

chyz:

The citizens definitely will.

chyz:

Whether sold or unsold GEJ is our man.

jason12345:

yes, that is how it should be! but the SW AND MW would go for the presidency as they are doing now. i think we have to be careful so as not to feel marginalised in nigeria. it takes the determination of a people to achieve what is know as the "Best interest of the people".

i like that. it is just a shame the SW and MW would not unite with Gj instead they would go for the presidency

chyz:

What is MW?

jason12345:

mid west

Abagworo:

The group was said to have assured Jonathan of bloc votes from the region and from all Igbo persons domiciled elsewhere outside Igbo land.

Abagworo:

That emerged as former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dozie Ikedife, expressed deep misgivings about the Aso Rock visit, saying it confirmed fears in certain quarters that the pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation has become an arm of the ruling party.

Ikedife said in a telephone interview that there is a conscious attempt to turn Ohanaeze into a wing of a political party, which should not be so.

He insisted it was premature to endorse Jonathan, who remains an aspirant for now, as doing so amounts to pre-empting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries.

He warned Ndigbo to be careful because the posture of Ohanaeze looks dangerous, especially with claims in the media that the group’s leadership may have been bought over to do the biding of Jonathan whom some Igbo leaders accuse of not sealing any deal with the region for which they could back his aspiration.

chyz:

what states consist of the midwest?