Southeast governors and leaders on Sunday called for unity among Ndigbo. They pledged to continue to protect their interest.
They spoke at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, the Imo State capital, after the election of former Nigerian Ambassador to the United States, Prof George Obiozor, as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He succeeded Chief John Nwodo, whose tenure expired midnight on Saturday.
Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi and his Imo State counterpart Hope Uzodimma, led eminent Igbo citizens to the election. It was the turn of Imo to produce the President-General, which is rotated among the Southeast states and Igbo-speaking parts of the Southsouth.
Delegates from Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states arrived at the stadium as early as 10 am. The accreditation started at 11 am. The leaders were permitted to leave their VIP stand to identify with delegates from their various states in preparation for the elections. The election was by Option A4, with voters queuing behind their preferred candidate.
Prof Obiozor scored 304 votes to beat Dr Valentine Oparaoche, who polled 15 votes, and Uju Okoro, who got three votes. Chief Goddy Uwazuruike stepped down for Obiozor. Other contestants – Prof. Chidi Osuagwu, Dr Chris Asoluka and Dr Joe Nworgu – obtained nomination forms, but were said not to have returned them. Obiozor got 47 votes from Abia delegates, 41 from Anambra, 17 from Delta, 53 from Ebonyi, 40 from Enugu, 42 from Imo and 21 from Rivers. There were 43 votes from Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Diaspora for the former Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Director-General.
The position of Deputy President-General, which was unopposed, went to Obi Wali from Rivers State. Okey Emuchay from Abia State polled 265 votes to win the position of Secretary-General. Those elected for other offices are Beatrice Eze from Ebonyi State (National Treasurer), Batholomew Okorie (Financial Secretary), Alex Ogbonna (National Publicity Secretary) and Joseph Obinama (National legal Adviser). Other candidates for President-General were Valentine Oparaocha, Prof. Eze Chukwunyere Nwebo and Uju Saviour.
The governors of Abia, Anambra and Enugu states were represented. Three ministers, Dr Chris Ngige, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu and Dr. Uche Ogah, were present. Also present were former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, and former Governors Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Dr Okwusilieze Nwodo (Enugu) and Chief Ikedi Ohakim (Imo).
Other dignitaries included Senator Andy Uba, Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Ben Obi, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Prince B.B. Apugo, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Prof ABC Nwosu, Chief Chekwas Okorie, Chief C.C. Okeke, among others. The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe and the former Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Samuel Ohiri led other traditional rulers to the event.
Archbishop of Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province, Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuema, led religious leaders to the election. Umahi praised Nwodo for conducting a successful election, despite distractions. He said the Southeast governors endorsed the process and would stand by the outcome. He urged the incoming executive to sustain the spirit of love among Ndigbo and to work for the country’s unity while protecting the interest of Ndigbo. According to him, Southeast governors have been singled out for castigation because “we’ve always supported the unity of this country”. Umahi added: “One thing we hold very dear is our love for Ndigbo. That comes first before political party. We don’t care what people say about that.”
Uzodimma thanked Southeast governors for playing an important role in uniting Ndigbo. “My happiness is that Igbos are together against the wishes of some people who don’t wish us well. “We’ve always come first in everything. Why we are behind is because the spirit I’m seeing here today was absent. We must go back to history to find our roots,” he said.
Nwodo thanked Ndigbo across the world for the support given to his executive and urged them to back his successors. He said those absent at the election were out to destroy the organisation, saying they did not mean well for Ndigbo. He called on “our dissenting brothers to please, sheath your swords and come back to the family”.
SOURCE: The Nation
