By Shola Oyeyipo
The two most prominent socio-political groups from the South-west and South-east, 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, Vice-President 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.
