Agency Report/
Two endorsements were received today by President Muhammadu Buhari during his campaign tour of Imo and Abia states.
According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, Buhari got two critical endorsements for his second term bid, on a day he was also adopted by the Pan Yoruba group, Afenifere.
The first endorsement of the president’s candidature was from the Chairman of Aba Traditional Council, Dr Isaac Ikonne, Enyi 1 of Aba.
The traditional ruler called on all indigenes of Abia to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential c
Ikonne said Igbo people would remain loyal and committed to President Buhari for the payment of pensions to ex-Biafran security personnel.
He lauded the administration’s policy on ease of doing business which, the traditional ruler said, had benefited the Igbo more than any other ethnic group.
The traditional ruler also expressed delight over the massive infrastructure development going on throughout the South-East.
“You love Nigeria and you need to return to consolidate your fight against the monster of corruption and to take us to the Next Level.
“I want to assure you that Aba and Abians and indeed all Igbos will massively vote for you,” the royal father told the President as he raised his hand and proclaimed him the winner of the coming presidential poll.
The second endorsement was by the secretary-general of apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Uche Okwukwu, who had earlier expressed a dissenting view from that of his chairman in expressing support for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the imminent elections.
Okwukwu announced the adoption of President Buhari as the true Ohaneze candidate who would be formally recognised as such at a coming event at the Aso Rock Villa.
Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, welcomed the existing “synergy” between the federal government and his state which he said, had come with enormous gains that were cherished by the government and the people.
President Buhari pledged to provide more infrastructure to the South-East geopolitical zone of the federation to give a further impetus to the spirit of industry, hard work and competitiveness for which the Igbo are known.
“They deserve more and more infrastructure to further excel,” the President said.
In Imo State, the President urged members of the APC to eschew all forms of
The president gave the advice at the APC presidential rally which held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri.
He identified peace and cooperation as necessary ingredients for the success of the party in the upcoming elections.
Buhari added that the achievements of his administration in the areas of economy and security could only be consolidated upon with the support of party faithful at the federal and state levels.
He pledged his continued support for sustainable economic development programmes such as the TraderMoni, a programme supervised by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
His words, “I assure you that the government will continue to strengthen the economy through sustainable programmes such as Tradermoni.
“We must also continue to revive the country’s economy and security. This, we can achieve by saying no to all forms of intra and inter-party rancour.”
Gov Rochas Okorocha, in his address, said the president had always demonstrated his love for Igbo and would continue to show his love for them.
“My President, you are a man of destiny. Your Victory come 2019 has been signed and sealed. You love the Igbo and you have always demonstrated that.
“You took Chuba Okadigbo and Edwin Ume Ezeoke at different times to be your running mates. No good result came from all that. It will be wrong for anybody to say that you don’t love Ndigbo. Whoever says that is lying.
“Mr. President you were forced to look elsewhere. So it is not right that Buhari does not love Ndigbo.
“He shall continue to show us love. You have shown your capacity and capability in fighting Corruption.
“There is nothing you can do to please the elite of Nigeria. Continue to work for the ordinary Nigerians while protecting the interest of the few elites,” he said.
National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole thanked the president for his demeanour and fatherly leadership.
Oshiomhole however, said that the APC was not in alliance with any other party for the March 2 governorship election.
“We are not in alliance with any other party. Our stance is clear and our sole governorship candidate is Hope Uzodinma,” he said.
The party chairman later handed over the flag to the APC gubernatorial candidate, Sen. Hope Uzodinma.
Addressing the crowd, Uzodinma assured the president and his entourage of a landslide victory for the APC in Imo.
He said greater number of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the state had collapsed into APC.
“APC will massively win in Imo because as we speak, 65 per cent of PDP members have already collapsed into the APC.
“These include former national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr Martin Agbaso and a senatorial candidate of the APGA, Mr Tony-Grey Okpe,” he said.
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