Nigeria 2011 presidential polls - As a last minute gathering to strategise on choosing the next number one citizen of the nation, Ndigbo once more gathered at the palace of Eze Ndigbo Lagos State and the President Ndi Eze Ndigbo outside Igboland, Hyacinth Nwabueze Ohazulike (OON). Many Igbo leaders including Peter Umeh who is the Eze Udo of Mushin, High Chief Ikem Agbasi, Chief Ulasi, Onowu of the palace, Val Ngaonadi, the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ifako Ijaiye LG, Chief Ogbonna and many others graced the occasion. Also, the Royal Daughters of Nigeria led by its coordinator, Hon. Princess Pat Isu, were at the gathering.

In attendance also were Women Coordinator, Jonathan/Sambo Coalition, Mrs. Amaka Chukwu and Woman leader, Mrs. Grace Akpan, who pulled other women to the event.

In a message to the gathering, Eze Ohazulike thanked and prayed for Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State.

He told the gathering who were still eager to know their position on the coming elections, particularly the presidential election, that as a leader he was not supposed to be partisan, but to be seen as a father to all going for elective positions, pray for them and allow the people to choose their leaders.

But suffice it to say that the Igbo apex socio-cultural group Ohanaeze, which works in tandem with the Ndi Eze and the people they lead, had taken position on that and advised Ndigbo to work in line with the position of Ohanaeze.

The text of the message on his behalf by his chief press secretary stated that the special media conference was part of their contribution towards a most peaceful and violence-free elections which would continue on Saturday April 16 (Presidential) and Tuesday April 26 (Governorship/House of Assembly).

He said: "We believe and trust that the elections will be free, fair and transparent as promised by Mr. President and all relevant parties to the elections. We are, accordingly, calling on all Igbo sons and daughters to come out en masse to exercise civic responsibility and vote candidates of their choice. We urge for the peace to be maintained throughout and beyond the elections and that all actions capable of upstaging the system be avoided."

He, therefore, appealed to all Igbo people in Lagos and other states in the South West and, indeed, in all other parts of Nigeria "to listen to and adhere to Ohanaeze, as regards the position of the President, as we are doing in this Obi. Fears and anxieties concerning the elections are only natural. Regardless, the elections will come and go and we will continue to march on as a strong, united and prosperous nation where love, peace, equity, justice, fair play etc reign supreme."

It would be recalled that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo after wide consultations had settled for President Goodluck Jonathan as the consensus candidate for Ndigbo.

Nevertheless, he also restated the organisation's position and plea to protect the youth, so that unscrupulous politicians would not use them as thugs or for other odious activities.

According to him, "We must fight to ensure that our children and wards are not used by unscrupulous elements, who at times like this exploit their vulnerability as canon fodder for violence. We assure our apex socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze, that we will not work at cross-purposes with it. Doing so will be turning tradition on its head."

Andrew Utulu

Daily Independent/14/04/2011