Ohanaeze insists on ImeObi meeting amid protest

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday insisted on holding its ImeObi (highest decision making body) meeting today, in spite of protest from the South East All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party argued that the meeting would amount to sabotaging Igbo interest and that of President Muhammadu Buhari, who begins his campaign tour of the region in Enugu today.

In a statement in Enugu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, however, noted that the organisation has resolved to change the time scheduled for the meeting from 10 am to 4.00pm to enable all Igbo to participate in the deliberations.

The statement, issued by Nwodo’s Media Adviser, Emeka Attamah, said: “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to a mendacious news item that it deliberately fixed its January 24th ImeObi meeting to clash with and sabotage President Buhari’s campaign in the South East.”

The statement frowned on the allegation, which, he said, was outside the disposition and character of the organisation. According to Attamah, the truth of the matter is that the National Executive Committee (NEC) had chosen the date for the meeting, oblivious of APC’s campaign timetable.

It explained that in deference to the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, drew Nwodo’s attention to the clash.As such, Ohanaeze Ndigbo shifted the time for the meeting from 10am to 4pm of the same day at Ngige’s instance.

The organisation stated that it was aware of the extra cost implications due to those that would have attended the meeting, but would now be accommodated in hotels, adding it was to give all Igbo scheduled for the meeting opportunity to attend.

The statement added that although Ohanaeze Ndigbo was apolitical, “it could aggregate Ndigbo collective interests for a candidate that will accede to their wishes and inclinations, but would not be dragged into vile politicking.”