Photo: Atiku Abubakar
An Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze, the umbrella body of Igbo worldwide, has carpeted Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over his comments in Kaduna where he charged Northerners not to vote for any presidential candidate from southern Nigeria ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Atiku had while speaking at an event in Kaduna urged his audience not to vote a Yoruba or Igbo candidate into power but vote him, a fellow northerner instead.
“What the average Northerner needs is somebody who’s from the north and also understands that part of the country and has been able to build bridges across the country.
“This is what the Northerner needs, He doesn’t need a Yoruba or Igbo candidate, I stand before you as a Pan-Nigerian of northern origin,” Atiku had said at the meeting with critical northern groups over the weekend.
Ohanaeze in reaction to Atiku’s comments, which immediately went viral, in a a statement by its Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that Atiku had destroyed what was left of the PDP’s chances in the 2023 election.
“We find it very weird and disappointing that an elder statesman and a presidential candidate, in the person of a one-time Vice Presidential of Nigeria could mount the podium at a public function and play such an ethnic card.
“We are worried that at such a time Nigeria is seeking for a unifier, Atiku is further pushing the country into disintegration; he has shown that he lacks the capacity to lead and unite this country.
“His ambition has already destroyed the PDP and pushed it from number one to third if not fourth force.
“We cannot trust a man who promises to give Igbo the presidency but changes his mind within 48 hours.
“Now, he wants to bring the same division into the affairs of the country. We ask Nigerians to say no by rejecting him stoutly at the polls,” the Igbo group fired back at Atiku.
The group further noted that Rivers state Gov, Nyesom Wike had also proven that the Igbo were Nigeria’s true patriots .
According ohaneze, Atiku has proven that he is a two-faced character, considering that he earlier promised to hand over power to the Southeast but later offered the same presidency to Wike who is from the southsouth.
The Igbo solidarity group stressed that such a man should not be trusted as it seems that his promises are counterfeit.
“For the sake of equity and one Nigeria, Gov Wike’s group should sustain the ‘Ayu Must Go’ campaign. We are solidly behind the G-5 Governors.
“Drafting David Mark, Ibori and co to pacify Wike is medicine after death. PDP is out of the 2023 contest, the battle is between Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu,” Ohaneze Ndigbo added.
