The All Progressives Congress (APC) South-East zone has commended Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA) for endorsing its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.).
Spokesman of the party in the zone, Osita Okechukwu, made the commendation while briefing party members at Eke, Udi local government area on General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB)’s zonal campaign rally in the South East, coming up at Owerri today.
Okechukwu said APC viewed it as a rare endorsement coming at the right time, for they have advised Ndigbo not to make the mistake of putting all their eggs in one basket.
He noted that the endorsement came at a time when prominent Yoruba leaders led by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Alani Akinrinade (rtd.) at Ibadan endorsed General Muhammadu Buhari for president.
Okechukwu maintained that the South East APC was enthused that the IDA, the great ambassadors of Ndigbo in the northern Nigeria, have reckoned that there is no sense in Ndigbo putting all our eggs in one basket.’
According to the APC chieftain, the good news is that the leadership of Ndigbo who reside in the north and who know GMB better has dispelled the ignoble propaganda that he will Islamize the country, a vile propaganda being promoted by looters of our commonwealth.’
Okechukwu explained that with IDA’s endorsement it means Ndigbo will be part of the victory squad, which was what the Rt. Hon. Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory predicted in 2002, that GMB would not only spearhead a coalition to stop one party system in our dear country, but would fix a broken Nigeria.
“The Yorubas are 60-40 percent and the Hausas are 80-20 percent, in support of General Muhammadu Buhari and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan respectively. Why should Ndigbo support Jonathan 100 percent? Is it not a gross error?
“It will be recalled that the Igbo Delegate Assembly made up of the Igbo leaders and Chiefs in the 19 northern states and Federal Capital Territory Abuja endorsed President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in 2011, hoping to get fresh air, only to get hot air.
“Left with hot air, on Thursday they endorsed GMB for the presidential election, calling on him to rescue Nigeria, which they alleged was drifting dangerously into a failed state under President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
“IDA said that President Jonathan has lost the goodwill of IDA and indeed many Nigerians residing in the north for the kid-gloves and non-challant attitude he demonstrated in waging the war against the Boko Haram insurgents. “We view President Jonathan’s recent pursuit of Boko Haram as election motivated, which we doubt can be sustained, therefore we support Buhari who is more reliable. Why did it take Jonathan six years to suddenly re-equip the Army or hire mercenaries?”
Going further President General of IDA, Chief Sam Damian Inyama who spoke on behalf of the group said: “We are here to support your aspiration to become the president of the country. We know that it is easier to work with you because of what you stand for. We are not ready to be plunged into another civil war and we are pleading with you to help us organize Nigerians. We want discipline to reign again.’
Collaborating Chief Inyama, Chief Egenti who spoke on behalf of Eze Ndigbo in the north affirmed their support thus: “A lot of people have complained that the issue about you is religion, but we know you are not a religious bigot. You are a very firm and articulate officer of the Nigeria Army, in 1983 when Nigeria was at the verge of collapse, you came and rescued it. Therefore we are here to affirm our support, because you will sanitize the country.”
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