THISDAY

Afenifere, Ohanaeze in Historic Parley

- Shola Oyeyipo

The two most prominent socio-political groups from the South-west and Southeast, Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, have agreed to work together in areas of common interests.

This was part of the resolution­s reached when the new President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nia John Nwodo, led a powerful delegation of the group on a visit to Afenifere leaders in Lagos at the weekend.

Afenifere National Publicity Secretary, Yinka Odumakin, who gave the insight to the meeting of the old comrades, said the two leading Yoruba and Igbo groups are prepared to come together to protect the interests of their people.

“The meeting of long associates was full of reminiscen­ces, backslappi­ng and reflection­s on issues of common concerns to the Igbo and Yoruba nations within Nigeria.

“At the end of the meeting, a resolution was taken that the two groups should work together in protecting the interest of the two nations and the progress of Nigeria,” he said.

The Nwodo delegation comprised the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze, Mr. Hillary Opara, VicePresid­ent General for Delta State, Dr. Sylvanus Ebigwei, Vice-President General for Anambra State, Mr. Charles Odunukwe, Chief Guy Ikokwu, and Chief Ben Onwugalu.

The delegation was received by an equally powerful group of Afenifere members led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo who stood in for the leader, Chief R.F Fasoranti; the Chairman of its Political Committee, Prof. Banji Akintoye; Chairman of Committee on Restructur­ing, Dr. Amos Akingba; National Treasurer, Chief Supo Sonibare and Odumakin.

The meeting was considered significan­t being the first outing of the Nwodo-led Ohanaeze to any socio-cultural group in the country since his election.

According to Nwodo, the decision to first visit Afenifere was due to the fact that it was the first organisati­on that openly congratula­ted him and followed with phone calls from its prominent leaders.

The occasion presented Afenifere the opportunit­y to reiterate its congratula­tory messages to Nwodo for his choice to lead Ndigbo at this crucial period and to reassure him of Afenifere’s support.

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