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· As Imolites in US reject plea to support Atiku
Following reports that the immediate past Governor of Imo state, Chief Emeka
Ihedioha played a key role in ensuring that delegates from Imo state voted against Igbo interest at the primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and recent speculations that he has been mobilizing support for the presidential candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area born former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives was recently snubbed and tongue lashed by members of the Igbo community in the United States of America.
It was gathered that Chief Ihedioha as an illustrious son of Mbaise Nation was a guest at a Town Hall meeting of “Igbos in Houston the United States of America.” “After the meeting which was held at All Saints Community Hall, Houston, on 4th July 2022, a prominent son of Igbo land who is also based in the US hosted a dinner party in Ihedioha’s honour.
Speaking at the dinner party, the former Governor deviated from what was expected and started mobilizing support for the Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar by highlighting why Igbos at home and in the Diaspora should support and vote for him enmasse as against the popular view that Nigerians should rally around Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Labour party for 2023 election.
It was at this point that his audience at the venue of the dinner expressed disappointment and out rightly told him that Ndi Igbo and Nigerians are for Peter Obi.
A source at the meeting who does not want his name in print said, “it was at that point that Imolites present at the meeting told him that he was swimming against the tide as they would under any circumstance be persuaded to support or join him in working against the collective interest of Igbos, moreso, now that the elusive and long awaited project of Igbo Presidency, is at the verge of being actualized through Peter Obi’s presidential ambition.” The meeting ended abruptly and Emeka Ihedioha left the venue disappointed”.
Responding to the development which has elicited different reactions, Prof T. Uzodinma Iwuala, a foremost African Philosopher, author and leader of Ala Igbo Development Foundation, a group that is committed to the comprehensive socio-political, cultural and economic development of the Igbo nation expressed disappointment that Chief Emeka Ihedioha who had on several occasions enjoyed the massive support, encouragement and solidarity of Igbos at home and in the Diaspora would at this auspicious moment work against the presidential ambition of the Labour Party candidate Pater Obi which symbolizes the collective interest of Igbos who have been yearning for the elusive emergence of a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction.
Prof Iwuala, an illustrious son of Ezinihitte Mbaise L.G.A of Imo state, in a release dated July 10, 2022 which he issued and made available to the press, said, “I am fully aware that our Mbaise brothers and sisters, both at home and in the diaspora, gave maximum support to Hon Emeka Ihedioha during his Governorship campaign.
“Such support presupposes that he stands always with the people who have sacrificed so much in supporting his political ambition. It also presupposes that he will put the interest of the people before any personal self-ambition.
“When I read that he prevented PDP faithfuls in Imo from identifying with Mr Peter Obi’s campaign tour of Imo state, I shuddered and thought it was impossible. When I read again that he mobilized Imo PDP delegates to vote for Tambuwal in Abuja when several Igbo Presidential Candidates Aspirants were seeking their votes, I thought that something must really be basically wrong.
“And now I hear that Hon Emeka Ihedioha is in the US campaigning against Mr Peter Obi in favour of Atiku. I must say in all honesty that Hon Emeka Ihedioha regards Ndigbo as foolish people who do not deserve honorable place in the Nigerian Federation. What is worst, I believe it is a betrayal of the massive support several of our people have given him in the recent past.
“We must condemn such betrayal in unequivocal terms. We must ask him to return home and take a prayerful political leave. His recent political performance is giving sadistic joy to our enemies and those who we rejected for his sake.
The people of Mbaise are politically very mature and can never swim against the current tide of history.
“May God bless the people of Mbaise, the Igbo Nation and all her neighbors who believe in Peace, Justice and Equity”.
