Ohanaeze Ndigbo says it is yet to endorse any presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
The Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Tuesday said it is yet to endorse any presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Also: Peter Obi: Ohanaeze Warns South East Governors Against Sinister Moves
Newsonline reports that the South-South Zonal Coordinator of Ohanaeze youths, Mr. Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, said this in a release that he signed and made available to newsmen in Owerri.
Arthur-Ugwa said that the organisation would make its choice of a presidential candidate to endorse known in due time if it became necessary.
He advised members of the organisation especially the youth, to desist from politicising its activities and seeking financial inducement in the organisation’s name.
He further said that the Ohanaeze’s choice of a presidential candidate to endorse would not be influenced by ethnic and religious sentiments but would be strictly on merit, charisma, and capacity of the candidates.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, ably led by our President-General, Prof. George Obiozor, has no preferred presidential candidate yet.
“When it becomes necessary that we choose one and we so do, we’ll make our preferences public.
“We, therefore, call on members to avoid the temptation to submit to any form of inducement, financial or otherwise in the name of Ohanaeze. This is distasteful as it is unacceptable. As an organisation, our dignity is sacrosanct,” he said.
He noted that prominent Igbo leaders such as the National Women Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs. Rita Daniels, had also warned youths not to convert the upcoming general elections into a money-making venture.
According to him, anyone found guilty of collecting money on behalf of Ohanaeze would be properly dealt with in line with laid down procedures.
18 Governors, ex-leaders behind Peter Obi – Ohanaeze
Recall that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on 5th October, said that about 18 sitting governors are behind the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi.
The Secretary-General of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said apart from the unnamed governors, a number of the country’s past leaders were also backing Obi’s candidature, DAILY POST reports.
He disclosed that the governors cut across different political platforms, adding that the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and other political parties, were already afraid of the development.
Ohanaeze, while hailing the courage and the determination of Nigerians who are trooping out in the different parts of the country in support of Peter Obi, urged that the momentum be sustained.
