From Paul Ibe, Enugu
For the second time, the apex Igbo socio cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has rejected a motion to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan, as the consensus candidate of south-east for the February presidential election.
Even when the endorsement of Jonathan was not part of the agenda for the meeting, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic party, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, had moved the motion midway into the meeting, urging Ohanaeze, to adopt Jonathan as its sole presidential candidate in the forthcoming election.
Chief Iwuanyanwu, who is a member of PDP Board of Trustees, had informed the meeting that he came with a message from 90 percent of Igbos who were supporting the re-election of President Jonathan for a second term.
He further requested them to give him an answer so as to enable him report back to those who sent him on the errand.
The motion however, caused an uproar in the caucus meeting as majority of members kicked against it vehemently, forcing Presidential General of Ohaneze, Gary Igariwe to adjourn the meeting abruptly.
It will be recalled that on November 9, last year, same motion by Chief Iwuanyanwu, suffered same fate during the Ohaneze caucus meeting.
The contention of those opposed to the motion which Chief Iwuanyawu eloquently narrated was to enhance the unity of Ndigbo and their brothers in the old Eastern region, is because the political terrain in 2015 is miles different from the scenario in 2011, when Pres. Jonathan was endorsed.
Those opposed to the motion are saying that it will be suicidal for Igbo race to endorse one candidate at the expense of the other, especially when Mr President failed in the major promises he made to Ndigbo and by extension to Nigerians.
Publicity secretary of APC in south east, Mr Osita Okechukwu, in remarks said, ‘I concur with the Adoration Ground sermon of Fr. Ejike Mbaka that Jonathan has ruled for six years, that we need a change.
Prominent Igbo leaders such as one time minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, two ex- Ohaneze president General, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, and Justice Eze Ozobu, Professor Ben Nwabueze were
not in attendance at the meeting, which earlier started on a tumultuous note as some members kicked against the attempt to extend the tenure of the National Executive to four years
instead of two years.
