Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the foremost socio-political body of the Igbos, on
Tuesday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for re-election in the
2015 presidential elections.

The body took the decision at a meeting at its national secretariat in Enugu.

Noting that Igbos contributed massively to Jonathan's victory in 2011,
Ohanaeze Ndigbo said it had to choose between backing the President to
complete his second term in office, or withdrawing its support for
him.

In arriving at the decision to back Jonathan, Ohanaeze said it took
note of the fact that, although the President had not done as much as
Igbos expected from him, he has improved infrastructure in the
South-East, and given Igbos a general sense of belonging in his
administration.

A statement, titled 'Presidential Election, 2015: The Stand of
Ndigbo,' which was jointly signed by the President-General, Ohanaeze
Ndigbo, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, the Chairman, South-East Council of
Traditional Rulers, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, and the Secretary-General,
Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, said the endorsement followed wide consultations.

The body also stressed that the decision to endorse Jonathan was made
in the "collective interests" of all Igbos, as well as in solidarity
with the people of the South-South.
--PUNCH