“People use the Obi phenomenon to express dissatisfaction with the status quo. It is a revolt against injustice, poverty, unemployment, corruption and all forms of vicious circles that have become the trademark of Nigeria. In other words, every revolution is a structural change.”
A faction of Igbo socio-cultural organisation known as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has endorsed Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi for the 2023 election.
The group is different from the Ohaneze Ndigbo headed by Prof. George Obiozor as President General.
The group said its reason for endorsing Obi was because it was the turn of the Southeast geopolitical zone to produce the country’s president next year, going by the principle of zoning.
The group in a statement released on Sunday, November 20, 2022, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, said that groups under the aegis of Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) have openly expressed their support for Obi’s candidacy.
It therefore said that it stands on that SMBLF position, stressing that in addition to Obi’s growing popularity across the country, his character and personality resonates with the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians for better governance.
The statement titled: “2023: On SMBLF Position We Stand,” reads, “In the first place, going by the principles of zoning and rotation of power in Nigeria which has been in existence since 1999, it is the turn of the South East of Nigeria to produce the president in 2023.
“Second, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has canvassed to various eminent persons in Nigeria, seeking their support for the presidency to the South East come 2023. We are delighted by the responses from various groups and highly placed patriotic Nigerians.
“Third, Ohanaeze works in collaboration with the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), comprising the Afenifere, PANDEF, Middle Belt Leaders and Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by an elder-statesman, Chief E. K. Clarke. The group in its quest for Nigerian unity, peace and sustainable national development has endorsed Mr. Peter Obi as their candidate for the 2023 general elections.
“Therefore, on the SMBLF endorsement we stand, most irrevocably. On the other hand, Ohanaeze took a commodity to the market and the world is clamouring for it, we are rather very excited, happy and fulfilled that Nigeria is now in full possession of the commodity.
“Four, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor explained that Obi has filled what could have been a very sad gap. Therefore, Obi represents the Nigerian conscience, moral probity, generational hope, redemption epiphany and above all, the Igbo collective unconscious.”
The group further explained that its endorsement of the Labour Party presidential candidate was based on not only equity and justice but on his capability, competence, track record of accomplishments and the noble ideas he has been sharing about improving the country on all fronts.
“People use the Obi phenomenon to express dissatisfaction with the status quo. It is a revolt against injustice, poverty, unemployment, corruption and all forms of vicious circles that have become the trademark of Nigeria. In other words, every revolution is a structural change.
“What the Obi movement stands for is to dismantle or change whatever structure that has brought us to this intractable tragedy and reprehensible denouement; the structure that has been a knee on the neck of Nigerians. Importantly, ideas rule the world. Ideas, as you know, possess the potency to develop into an ideology, a movement and finally a structure,” the states added.
The group also stated that assertions in some quarters that LP has no formidable structure to work with and win the election, has been disproved by recent events in the country.
