The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has reaffirmed its support for Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, distancing itself from the Ohanaeze Women Wing supporting and endorsing PDP presidential flag bearer Atiku Abubakar.

This is contained in a statement by its spokesman Alex Ogbonnia on Wednesday.

It said the national executive committee of Ohanaeze, presided over by the secretary general Okey Emuchay, met on Friday and reiterated its unwavering support for Mr Obi.

According to the statement, Ohaneze is surprised to read the recent publication by the Ohanaeze Women Wing purportedly endorsing the candidature of Mr Abubakar.

“The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to the purported endorsement of Atiku Abubakar of PDP by Ohaneze Women Wing as Igbo candidate in the forthcoming presidential election of February 25,” said the statement.

Ohanaeze added, “Their stand is in resonance with the right-thinking patriotic Nigerians and indeed the global community that Peter Obi stands out as the “most suitable, competent, visionary, inspiring and energetic presidential candidate for the forthcoming general election. Obi is not only an exceptional convergence of history, equity and public consciousness, he is also a moral edifice, purveyor of excellence, a quintessential public administrator and the embodiment of the new Nigeria that we all crave for.”

It said Mr Emuchay expressed deep shock that while the Afenifere, Pan-Niger-Delta Forum (PANDEF) Middle Belt, Muslim clerics and others united in the Obi/Datti movement, the women did otherwise.

The statement added that Mr Emuchay was shocked that Ohanaeze Women Wing would embark on a mission completely at variance with the interest and position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo vehemently dissociates itself from such an unwarranted unconscionable and subversive endorsement of Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of PDP,” the statement noted.

It reiterated that Ohanaeze would not condone acts of insubordination and sabotage from any of its officers and affiliates.

“We wish to use this opportunity to express our profound gratitude to the Youths, the courageous elder statesmen, the market women, the clergy, clerics and artisans,” stated Ohanaeze. “Others are Nigerian students all over the country, the international community and indeed all the oppressed and deprived masses in Nigeria for their invaluable support to Mr Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed.”

(NAN)