Igbo leaders declare support for Atiku, give reasons

The Igbo leaders, including the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Igbo Leaders of Thought have declared support for Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Peter Obi for the 2019 presidential election.

Vanguard reports that this was contained in a communiqué read out on behalf of Ndigbo by Chief Olisa Agbakoba.

The group said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate’s promise to restructure the country is why they are supporting his aspiration.

The communiqué reads: “The Igbo people of Nigeria held a one day non-partisian and inclusive summit, convened by elders, traditional and religious leaders on November 14 2018, to consider Ndigbo’s place in the polity, especially in the light of the forthcoming 2019 elections.

“The summit deliberated on the state on Ndigbo in Nigeria today, especially after years of exclusion from the centre. This country has never been so divided as it is today. We, Igbo, have always yearned for a level playing field with justice, equity and fairness.

“The summit recognised the nomination of His Excellency Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state as the vice presidential candidate of the PDP and fully endorse this nomination. It was acknowledged that this nomination puts Ndigbo back to the centre of governance. It id therefore important that Ndigbo should rally behind the Atiku/Obi ticket.

“We identify with Atiku/ Obi ticket on the restructuring agenda as has been reiterated by the four zones of the country, namely South-South, South west, North central and South east. We believe that as long as the federating units remain weak, the centre will continue to be weak. We equally move to appreciate the position of the Atiku/Obi ticket in promoting national unity.

“In conclusion, the summit reiterated that the time is now for Ndigbo to mobilise and organise effectively, realise the Atiku/Obi ticket. We are not campaigning against anybody, we are simply campaigning for our very survival. Igbo votes must count wherever leave in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Legit.ng had reported that former vice president and the PDP presidential candidate for the 2019 general elections, Atiku Abubakar, gave an update on his campaign as he seeks the votes of Nigerians in next year polls.

He posted a photo of himself on his social media pages reviewing his campaign policy document as Nigerians await the commencement of the presidential campaigns next month.

Atiku was then in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, where he was spending the holiday with his family ahead of the rigorous campaign which is expected to take him to the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking for Nigerians’ votes.

Courtesy: LEGIT