…Okwukwu, Omenazu establish parallel leadership
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
Though the election of a new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, which is the apex body of all Igbo socio-political pressure groups was concluded on Friday, January 10, in Enugu, there are growing fears that the forces behind the election and strategies applied will make or mar the survival of the organization as a unitary body of all Igbo associations, if not managed sensitively.
On the hindsight, the rotation principle embedded in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which stipulated that it is turn of the Igbo tribe in Rivers state to produce the next President General of the organization was totally complied with as well as rotating other positions to the other states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
However, the ‘Consensus Arrangement’ adopted at the last minute to the election is what is raising fears of implosion in the organization.
The Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu 27 days led executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had assured the whole world that his team would conduct a very credible election and will not exceed his 27-day tenure by one day.
With assurance of conducting credible election from Nze Ozichukwu led executive, aspirants of Igbo tribes of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu,Imo and Rivers states started purchasing forms for the various positions zoned to their state.
Barely a day to the election, The Authority Newspaper observed that forms were still sold on Thursday, January 9 to aspirants at the National headquarter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, located at No.7 Park avenue,GRA, Enugu.While the screening of candidates lasted till midnight.
The development marred the chances of journalists who had wished to publish the list of qualified and shortlisted candidates a day before the election from discharging their civic and noble obligation to the society.
A day to the election, it was critically observed at Ohanaeze National Secretariat that some intending aspirants who joined the last minute rush, eventually soft pedalled on their ambition over suspicion of irregularities.
For instance, Rev.Obinna Agukwe who wanted to join in the contest for Secretary General zoned to Anambra state, stressed that the inability of the rlectoral committee to display delegates list less than 24 hours to the election was a signal that the election was being hijacked.
Obviously for lack of space and security reasons, The Ohanaeze General Assembly Meeting of Friday, January 10, where in the election of a new executive of the organization that will preside over the activities of the apex body of all other Igbo socio cultural organisation’s was shifted to Old Government lodge, located at Abakaliki road, Enugu.
The then outgoing Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu, marshalled out his presidential address while the host, Governor Peter Mbah, commended the attendance of his fellow governor’s of Abia, Anambra, Imo and Ebonyi states, with the latter represented by his Chief of staff.
Governor Mbah went down memory lane to elaborate the historic importance and roles Enugu city has played and will continue to play in the socio economic and cultural disposition of the Igbo nation, with emphasis on the statesmanship exhibited by past Igbo leaders who presided from Enugu. He welcomed all to still see Enugu as their home.
The tune and direction of the election was eventually let out of the bag by Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state while speaking in his capacity as the Chairman of the South East Governor’s forum.
He announced that the Governors will henceforth fund Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership so as to enable it achieve most of it’s activities and projects to enhance economic and development of Igbo nation.
And to achieve this objective, the governors by themselves have selected credible men and women of proven integrity to occupy the various positions in Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership.
Towards this direction, the master of ceremony, Professor Osita Ogbu, former economic adviser to ex- President Goodluck Jonathan, was directed to call on Senator Chris Ngige to move a motion for the suspension of some critical aspects of Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution to pave way for the concensus alternative.
The motion was seconded by Chief Enwo Igariwey, a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, who took the turn of Ebonyi state.
With ‘YES,’ voice votes and highly infinitessimal ‘NO’voice votes from the accredited delegates, Senator Azuka Mbata from Rivers state emerged as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
The same way Chief Okey Nwadinobi from Abia state was elected as the Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
The position of Secretary General zoned to Anambra state went to Mr Emeka Sibeidu while Dr Abel Aneke was considered the position zoned to Enugu state.
Some of the candidates for the election, who were dejected with the last minute consensus arrangement, said they were not briefed before hand and will go to court to seek redress.
Meanwhile, two other person’s from Igbo tribe in Rivers state are also claiming that they have emerged as the new President Generals of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
Barr. Uche Nnam Okwukwu claims he was elected at a convention held in Port Harcourt while Chief Omekazu Jackson was elected by another Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership faction.
Some analysts hold the view that the ugly trend is a mystery which only the South East governors can resolve, stating they compounded the problem with the directive for a consensus, instead of allowing accredited delegates to determine the best among crop of candidates or each respective position.
