I Do Not Hate Ibos or Anybody Says President Obasanjo

President Olusegun Obasanjo with clear evidence, has denied vehemently allegations from certain quarters that he hates the Ibos. At a meeting with the Ohaneze Youth Council in his office in Abuja Nigeria, President Obasanjo reminded all, that his best friend in the Army was the Late Major Chukwuma Nzeogwu, an Ibo man. He said presently he has two children from two different states in Iboland and that it was because of his love for the Ibo people that he supported the zoning of the post of the President of the Senate to Ibos.

The President stressed that though he can express anger he is not capable of hating anyone including the Ibos. He said in his job he strives to satisfy God and his conscience and stressed that those who accuse him are imagining things. Meanwhile, the President named 21 Ibo persons who hold key positions in his administration and challenge anyone to mention any other zone in the country with equal number of appointments. Ibos in key positions are:

1. Chief Ojo Maduekwe
2. Dr. A,B,C, Nwosu
3. Dr. Kema Chikwe
4. Mr. Dubem Onyia
5. Engr. Dan Chuke
6. Mr. Lawrence Nwuruku
7. Chief Onyema Ugochukwu
8. Dr. Stanley Macebuh
9. Dr. Chukwemeka Ezeife
10. Dr. Catherine Acholonu
11. Mr. Uche Okeke
12. Mrs. Chinyere Asika
13. Mr. Handel Okoli
14. Mr. Andy Uba
15. Mrs. Chidi Onyemelukwu
16. Mr. Emmanuel Arinze
17. Mrs. Oby Ezekwesili
18. Princess Gloria Iweka
19. Mr. P. Agbasi
20. Chief Tony Ozurumba
21. Mrs. Appolonia Okigbo

Bolaji Adebiyi
Nigeria Information Service Centre
June 26, 2002