The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said about 18 state governors across party lines are currently working behind the scene for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
It, however, did not name the state governors.
The group’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
He said, “As we speak, about 18 governors from the North and South, cutting across party lines, are behind the scenes putting up structures for Obi to be the winner of the 2023 presidential election. In addition, some former Presidents and elder statesmen are in support of Obi’s candidature.
“They are all convinced that Obi has something different from all the other candidates.
“We are glad that for the first time in the recent past, Nigerians are united in the dethronement of misgovernance in Aso Rock. They are determined to make a political change through the ballot box with a third force presidency.
“This is the first time we are seeing such a strong political movement in Nigeria that is not sponsored by politicians, rather the masses own the project.
“You have seen the mass movement across the country and beyond; you have seen even children, persons with special needs, the aged; everyone is part of this movement.”
While saying the governors cut across different political platforms, Isiguzoro added that the All Progressives Congress, the Peoples Democratic Party and other political parties are already afraid of the development.
“This is a movement to take back Nigeria from the days of locusts, greedy and selfish politicians and to rescue the country from adversity, economic slump, insecurity and corruption.
“Nigerians have demonstrated readiness to take back their country through the ballot box and it behoves the Independent National Electoral Commission to make the votes count,” he said.
Soludo on Obi
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has denied the allegation that he is working against Obi’s ambition.
The governor’s reaction came following reports that he ordered members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance in Anambra to work against Obi at the polls.
In a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Wednesday, Soludo’s Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, denied the allegation.
The statement titled “Re: Soludo charges Anambra APGA to work against Peter Obi, dreams of Presidency after Atiku” read in part, “We note with disdain the fallacious and distasteful publication of a write-up with the above heading by faceless individual(s).
“The following should, however, be noted: that Soludo only held a private meeting with APGA members.
“At no time during the meeting was Peter Obi a point of discourse.
“We, therefore, urge Ndi-Anambra and members of the public to completely ignore and disregard the publication in its entirety.”