By Tony Adibe
The Leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) has visited and consulted the home of foremost Igbo leader, late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. The delegation led by Chief Emma Eneukwu, Deputy National Chairman of APC (South) came to Ojukwu’s home in Enugu on Thursday with other party chieftains.
Eneukwu said that it was imperative that any party that wants to make massive in-road and impact electoral wise in Southeast must consult with Ojukwu and his family. According to him, Ojukwu holds a lot of credibility, followership and command great respect among the people of the Southeast and beyond.
“And it will be gratifying if you tell people to vote for us (APC), because I know you command a lot of respect, especially in Igbo land (all Igbo speaking areas of Southeast, South South and North Central zones).
“When they vote us, we will make sure that your pride of place is maintained. As an Eagle, the Ojukwu’s pride of place, will be surely maintained for ages,” he said.
The APC chieftain maintained that the Ojukwu’s resident would be the first point of call for the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, any time he visits Enugu in the course of his Presidential campaign consultations and rallies.
Responding, the Matriarch of Ojukwu’s Family, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, who received the APC national delegation, said that the elections we are looking forward to, for most Nigerians, are election that would alter the status quo. According to Ojukwu, I think all of us here know what we in the Southeast are passing through.
“We are looking forward to a government that will bring in security, we are looking forward to a government that will alleviate the sufferings of the people. Of course, Igbos are looking for equity fairness and inclusiveness which we have not really been accorded within the Nigeria polity.
“And this the message I would want you to take back to the Presidential Candidate of APC,” she said.
She, however, said that in All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), we also have a presidential candidate that we hope will do what is necessary to change the paradigm. Ojukwu said that Nigerians are looking forward to a new nation, adding a new nation very importantly uncontaminated by the past.
“And as time goes by and the day go by, we also hope that there will be peace after this election and this peace can only be guaranteed by some degree of magnanimity by whoever God ordains to be the leader of Nigeria at this important time,” she added.
It would be recalled that Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, about fortnight ago, paid a consultation visit to the Ojukwus in Enugu.
