What I Will Do If Umahi Gets APC Presidential Ticket–Chief Solomon Aguene

 

What I will do for Umahi if he gets APC Presidential ticket will add substantially to victory is a commitment by High Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, the president Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos ahead 2023. Within the last 6 weeks, Chief Aguene, has had reasons to speak to OpenLife Nigeria, a pan Nigeria news magazine on the subject of a growing concern about the state of Ndigbo and the projections towards 2023 general elections

Year 2020 has almost ended. What is your assessment?

As always, we give glory to God for everything most especially for sparing our lives. We are grateful to Him.
If there is anything we wish to achieve which we have not achieved, we will continue to beg God to have mercy on us so that we will achieve those objectives in the years ahead.

Ndigbos are clamouring for 2023 Presidency. Are you in conflict with that clamour?

Why will I be in conflict with Ndigbo’s interest? I am a full blooded Igbo man.
However, what I have always told my people is to go into dialogue and consultation with other stakeholders and other tribes. As far as I am concerned, that is partly the way for Ndigbos to win 2023 Presidential contest.
As President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos with membership strength of over four million, my pre occupation is to externalize and promote the social cultural values of Ndigbos as well as the well being of our members in Lagos.
We remain apolitical. But whenever it is necessary to offer advice, I do so objectively.

Your State governor, Dave Umahi, is rumoured to be in the presidential race. Will you support him?

Governor Dave Umahi is not just my governor but my brother. If his new party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, gives him the presidential ticket, that will be fine and I will be happy. I am a grass roots mobilizer. I have very strong grass roots connection and I will mobilize for him during campaigns.
Lagos APC is very kind to Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo through governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Therefore, it will not be difficult for me to connect the thread and make things happen.
But Like what I said before, whoever is interested in presidency, should, as a matter of urgency, start reaching out to other tribes and stakeholders.
Wide consultation for acceptance is very important in politics. That remains my advice.

Members of Lagos Ndigbo are full of your praises over unprecedented welfare. How are you doing it?

What I do is that I get supports from Igbos sons and daughters who God has blessed.
Retired Commodore Ebitu Ukiwe, former Chief of General Staff under General Ibrahim Babangida’s regime is my father. He supports me so much.
Rear Admiral, ret’d) Ndubuisi Godwin Kanu, former military governor of Imo State, is also one of my pillars outside God.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is always there for Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, an enterprising young man has been of great support to us at Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
There is Chief Dr. Chidi Anyaegbu who has been supportive. Indeed, they are very many and we remain grateful to them.

You have not mentioned your governor, Dave Umahi?

What I have not physically benefitted from my governor, Dave Umahi, I have benefitted from infrastructure which he has put in place in Ebonyi State. I tell people to emulate him in terms of infrastructural development.
We will appreciate it very well if my brother governor Umahi decides to back and support us at Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo as well.