Contrary to reports by some All Progressives Congress, APC, stakeholders in the South-East, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Wednesday denied claims it deliberately scheduled its Imeobi (Ohanaeze’s highest decision-making organ) meeting to clash with President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign rally in the South-East.
Vigil360 had reported that the group fixed its meeting on Thursday to decide its position on the Presidential election. The date, however, coincided with the APC presidential campaign in the region, APC chieftain accusing the leadership of attempting to sabotage the party.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Chief Emeka Attamah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President-General of Ohanaeze, the group described the insinuations as “false and unfounded”.
He added that the President of Ohaneze was not aware of Buhari’s campaign tour of the South-East when the meeting was scheduled.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo frowned on such an insidious allegation which was outside the disposition and character of the hallowed Igbo apex cultural organisation.
“The truth of the matter was that the National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had chosen the date for the meeting oblivious of the campaign timetable of the ruling APC party.
“In deference to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, and the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Dave Umahi, who both called his attention to the clash, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shifted the time for the meeting from 10am to 4pm on the same day at the instance of Ngige.”
The group said the decision was taken “to give all Igbo sons and daughters scheduled for the meeting the opportunity to be there”.
The statement added, “Although Ohanaeze Ndigbo is apolitical, it could aggregate the collective interest of Ndigbo for a candidate that answers to their wish and inclination but won’t but be dragged down to the level of vile politicking.”
