The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to shun open confrontations in respect of the coastal highway and engage Works Minister, Dave Umahi, privately.
The admonition followed Obi’s public censure of the controversial Lagos-Calabar Road, an ongoing signature project of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The former Anambra governor described the project as a misplaced priority that would cost job losses, a claim minister of Work disputed and imputed incitement of people of Southeast states to Obi.
The exchange between the tribesmen has drawn the remark of the umbrella body of their Igbo tribe.
Ohanaeze in a statement its Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro authored admonished Obi to wean himself of being openly critical of the incumbent government and Umahi.
The statement read in part, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the revered apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, rises with unwavering clarity amidst the tumult of baseless scrutiny and undue criticism directed at the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project and the commendable work of Senator Dave Umahi, Minister of Works.
“The relentless assault on these vital infrastructure initiatives raises eyebrows, and Nigerians, particularly the Igbo populace, question the motives behind these attacks, which do not serve the interests of the nation.”
While denouncing the “unwarranted vilification” targeted at Umahi, the organisation underscored the “necessity for diplomatic and private engagement over public confrontations that may impede the progress of south-eastern infrastructure development.
“Ohanaeze reiterates the call for respectful dialogue and collaboration, urging Peter Obi to eschew public acrimony and seek constructive discourse with Senator Umahi to gain authentic insights into national development projects.”
