Politics - Igbos in North distance themselves from planned Buhari meeting

The Igbo Delegates Assembly (IDA), on Thursday, disassociated its members from a purported meeting with the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mohammadu Buhari.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Auston Ifedinezi, he stated that while there is nothing wrong with the APC presidential candidate meeting with them, he said appropriate channels must be followed for such meeting.

Ifedinezi Said: “The attention of Igbo Delegates Assembly, which is the umbrella body of Ndigbo in 19 northern states of Nigeria and FCT, has been drawn to the text message, purportedly signed by Chief, Sir D Inyamah, the President General of IDA, inviting IDA to a meeting with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of APC, on Friday March 20, 2015, in Abuja.

“The message reads thus: ‘Dear PG, there will be a meeting between IDA and Maj. Gen. Buhari on Friday, 20th March, 2015 at Abuja by 10.00 am. All expenses paid.

“You are, therefore, expected in Abuja on Thursday, 19th March. Name of the hotel will be communicated to you later. Each state should send two delegates please’.

IDA hereby state as follows:

1, That there is, absolutely, nothing wrong with IDA meeting with Buhari if the appropriate body is consulted and due process followed.

2, That the executive of IDA is not aware of the purported meeting with Gen. Buhari

3, That the President General of Igbo Delegates Assembly is sick and in the hospital and could not pick his calls.

4, That messages to this kind of meetings, if real, are sent by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) or the Secretary.

5, That this is the handiwork of mischief makers to impersonate, extort money and destroy the integrity of IDA that has been built for over three decades now.

6, We, the executive members of IDA, hereby, unanimously and unequivocally declare that we are not part of the meeting and that the outcome shall not be binding on IDA.

“WE urge every Igbo person living in northern Nigeria, who has attained the age of 18 years and above, to remain where he/she is, arm himself/herself with Permanent Voter Card (PVC), and participate in every election without any atom of fear of intimidation, molestation and anything whatsoever.”