According to a report by Enema Mamah published on Vanguard, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige, has dismissed the statement credited to the National Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, accusing President Buhari of allegedly promoting politics of exclusionism against Ndigbo.
The minister spoke in an interview with reporters at the annual convention and 2016 graduation ceremony of Skill Acquisition Students of Bina Foundation, founded by Chris Atuegwu and his wife, Lady Ifeoma, weekend in Enugu.
He said that contrary to the statement purportedly made by Ohanaeze that Ndigbo were being excluded, Buhari’s antecedents showed that “he loves Ndigbo,” warning Igbo to stop alienating themselves politically, but instead, embrace other parts of the country with open hands.
His words: “I am sure the statement did not emanate from Ohanaeze. It is the personal opinion of the Secretary General, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, who is my personal friend. Ohanaeze has means of expressing its views through press statements, which are usually signed by the President General and the Secretary. Such statements must also emanate from Imeobi (inner caucus).
“When you go to Buhari’s antecedents, you see his love for Igbo. His Brigade Commander was an Igboman. After the war, he did not kill prisoners of war. He brought back his classmates, J.C. Ojukwu and the other man from Ojoto in Anambra State. He is a good man. He keeps to himself and does not socialise but, he is disciplined in office.”
Ngige further noted that since there was an understanding that the presidency would go round, Ndigbo would get their turn by embracing other parts of the country with open hands and not by talking about politics of alienation.
The minister spoke in an interview with reporters at the annual convention and 2016 graduation ceremony of Skill Acquisition Students of Bina Foundation, founded by Chris Atuegwu and his wife, Lady Ifeoma, weekend in Enugu.
He said that contrary to the statement purportedly made by Ohanaeze that Ndigbo were being excluded, Buhari’s antecedents showed that “he loves Ndigbo,” warning Igbo to stop alienating themselves politically, but instead, embrace other parts of the country with open hands.
His words: “I am sure the statement did not emanate from Ohanaeze. It is the personal opinion of the Secretary General, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, who is my personal friend. Ohanaeze has means of expressing its views through press statements, which are usually signed by the President General and the Secretary. Such statements must also emanate from Imeobi (inner caucus).
“When you go to Buhari’s antecedents, you see his love for Igbo. His Brigade Commander was an Igboman. After the war, he did not kill prisoners of war. He brought back his classmates, J.C. Ojukwu and the other man from Ojoto in Anambra State. He is a good man. He keeps to himself and does not socialise but, he is disciplined in office.”
Ngige further noted that since there was an understanding that the presidency would go round, Ndigbo would get their turn by embracing other parts of the country with open hands and not by talking about politics of alienation.
