Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has slammed former Minister of Works, Adeseye Ogunlewe, following a comment where he was quoted as saying that southeast is not united for 2023, even as he stated that Ndigbo are not prepared to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
In a statement issued by the Engr. Chidi Ibeh led Ohaneze, signed by its Secretary -General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group described the comment as a calculated, crooked and provocative onslaught against Ndigbo.
He said contrary to Ogunlewe’s claims, Ndigbo are more united in the pursuit of the 2023 Presidency for the first time since the return of democracy in 1999.
“A lot of consultative meetings and backstage activities are ongoing to convince Nigerians of the need for the 2023 Igbo Presidency Project. Igbo leadership is at the forefront of this noble project, and Igbo Presidential hopeful are putting finishing touches on 2023 Presidency, surely, we hope Ogunlewe will jump the ship immediately an Igbo man succeeds President Muhammadu in 2023. Nigerians are yearning for an Igbo man in Aso Rock by 2023,” he stated.
Isiguzoro, urged Nigerians to ignore the comment, noting that the former minister was not speaking for Omo oduduwa or the Yoruba nation.
He noted: “Ordinarily, we would have ignored the man suffering from mouth diarrhea, but we call on Nigerians to ignore him, as 2023 presidency is not about southeast but the repair of a country sinking deep into the abyss of disintegration and insecurity.
“Ogunlewe is not speaking for Omo oduduwa or Yoruba nation, not for men and women of morality from the southwest who are supporting and canvassing for the 2023 Igbo Presidency, not the 2023 Southeast Presidency. The difference between the former and latter is that the likes of Ogunlewe may not comprehend easily”.
“The survival of Nigeria beyond 2023 lies in the fact that every section of the country has tasted the Presidency, and any attempt by the fifth columnist to coax and intimidate Nigerian President of Igbo extraction is the quickest route to disintegration and an unending secessionist movement in Nigeria. We are clamoring for Igbo Presidency, not southeast Presidency, whether an Igbo from Niger Delta or Benue or Kogi or southeast emerges in any major political party, we will identify with him and support him”.