By Tony Edike
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given its support to the South East Political Summit holding in Enugu today.

This comes as Igbo interest groups from across the country and in the diaspora have confirmed their attendance.

It was also learnt yesterday that governors of the South East states have pledged their support for the summit where Ndigbo were expected to brainstorm on various political issues and chart a way forward ahead of 2011 elections.

President-General of Ohaneze, Amb. Ralph Uwechue and prominent members of the umbrella Igbo organization, including Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife, said during the Imeobi meeting of the body last Saturday that there was nothing wrong with the political summit intended to bring Ndigbo together for a dialogue.

Uwechue said Ohaneze welcomed the summit, adding that any Igbo willing to attend was free to do so.

Organizers of the summit resolved to go ahead with the event despite the announcement by Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu, postponing it on the excuse that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, had resolved the contentious issue of zoning, which is part of the summit’s agenda.

Chief convener of the summit and a foremost nationalist, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, said in a statement issued in Enugu yesterday that the summit would hold as scheduled and refuted the announcements cancelling it.

The statement read: “I wish to categorically state that the South-East Political Summit is not cancelled nor postponed. It will hold as scheduled on Monday, 16th of August 2010 at Federation Hall of Hotel Presidential, Enugu, by 11am prompt.

“The PDP, as a party, has a right to take their decision while Ndigbo has a right to take their stand.

“Though I have very great respect for the office and person of the deputy senate president, I need to remind him that the statement is his personal opinion and not general opinion by Ndigbo.”

“It is pertinent to inform him that he is an invitee and may choose not to honour the invitation.”

Amechi further stated that though public officers were among those invited, there were other invitees who were not public officers or politicians, stressing that they had already confirmed their attendance.

“Those invited include but not limited to federal, state, council public office holders, religious/traditional leaders, captains of industry, university dons, professional bodies, trade and labour unionists, women, youth and student leaders,” the statement added.