Obienyem, who spoke to journalists during a seminar by the Laity of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province at DRAAC Centre Enugu, on Saturday afternoon, observed that Oshiomhole’s reactions were put of mischief.
He said if after the outpouring of good wishes, universal elation and ecstatic reactions as many people across the country declared Obi’s nomination as a prelude to a new dawn; and somebody still talked in terms of his being “rejected”, that the person was simply being mischievous at best and devious at worst.
Admitting that an issue or two were raised when Obi’s name was announced, Obienyem explained that even as the likes of Oshiomhole began to misinterpret those issues even when those who actually raised them asserted unequivocally that Obi was, indeed, one of the best Igbo men for the position.
He said, “Their only problem then was that of not being consulted in the spirit of conviviality.
According to Obienyem, “I followed Obi on his courtesy visits to the Governors and several leaders of the South-East and I shed tears of joy to see how emotional they all were as they received him. Some tagged Obi an ‘Iconic Igbo son’, while others described him as ‘an exemplary Igbo son’,among other moving epithets”.
Insisting that Oshiomhole’s recent troubles with his party and elsewhere might have distracted him from determining the facts, Obienyem noted that “It is an irony that Oshiomhole’s’ statement came two days after who-is-who in Igboland led by the Chairman of Ohaneze, Chief Nnia Nwodo gathered in Enugu to give the final imprimatur to the Alhaji Atiku/Obi ticket as they showered encomiums on Alhaji Atiku for Obi’s choice, which, recalling what Obi did in Anambra State, they said was the best choice. How else should the likes of Oshiomhole know that Obi’s nomination is a turning point in the history of politicking in the South-East and the entire country at large?”
Continuing, Obienyem doubted that Oshiomhole was actually briefed or read the papers to have a glimpse of what happened in Enugu: “I doubt if he understood what happened in Enugu, how some elderly Igbo leaders braced all odds and travelled from wide and near to attend the meeting. Consider the galaxy of Igbo stars that were in attendance.
Concluding, Obienyem said that if after the Igbo leaders openly endorsed Obi and somebody talks about division among the Igbos, the person is clearly acting out another agenda and does not wish Ndi Igbo well.
