Vote Buhari or Jonathan, No Endorsement – Ohanaeze to Igbos

As the claim of endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan for this year’s presidential election by the Chief Gary Igariwey-led faction of Ohaneze Ndigbo continues to generate mixed reactions, another faction led by Chief Ralph Obioha has distanced itself from any such endorsement.

They made the position known in a joint media briefing addressed by Obioha and Dr Zed Chukwujama as chairman and secretary of the organisation’s Caretaker Committee respectively as well as Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, the chairman of the organisation’s Elders’ Council.

They made it clear that they would not be endorsing either Jonathan or Muhammadu Buhari of the APC for the presidential election, urging all Igbos to vote according to their conscience.

The expressed dismay that until now, none of the two major presidential candidates including Jonathan of the PDP and Buhari has entered into any form of agreement with Ndigbo on the four cardinal issues they have outlined.

According to them, the issues included security of lives and property of Ndigbo, infrastructural development in Igbo land, reparation for atrocities and war crimes against Ndigbo at least at the level recommended in the Oputa Panel Report as well as what would become of Ndigbo after the tenure of the would-be president by 2019.

“Of the two candidates, only one sent a high level delegation to us and we told them that we must see the candidate himself because whatever agreements to be reached will be implemented by him, if he wins and becomes president.

"We have not seen the candidate as at this date. The other presidential candidate has not made any contact with the committee which is the authentic legal organ of Ohaneze. If his beliefnis in some other area or persons to gather the Igbo nation into one basket, we can only wish them goodluck.

“Where do the Igbos belong and what is their fate after the incumbency of whoever wins in 2015 election?President Jonathan has said it openly that after his second term, it will be the turn of the north. On the other hand, Buhari wins and desires to emulate Nelson Mandela and bows out after one term because of his age, it will be reasonable to expect another northerner to complete his term. Thereafter, he would want to exercise his constitutional right of second term, making 12 years, “ they noted.

The faction therefore asked Igbos to pray for God’s guidance on the day of election and vote according to their conscience, advising them also to be vigilant before, during and after the polls.