By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Contrary to the insinuation that there was a parallel election to elect the new President-General
of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, an ex- federal lawmaker, Senator John Azuta Mbata, has been duly elected to lead the group.
This is even as the former Deputy Governor of Anambra state, Chief Emeka Sibeudu was also elected as the General-Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo while Dr. Ezechi Chuckwu was elected the Publicity Secretary alongside 13 others who contested for the vacant positions in the organisation in the Friday’s election conducted in Enugu state.
Prompt News reports that Mbata, who hails Ikwerre ethic group of Rivers state, emerged as the 13th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo through a voice vote in the presence of prominent Igbo sons including the governors of the five South-East has
replaced Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, whose tenure came to an end on Friday, January 10, 2025. He completed the tenure of Imo state which saw two earlier President-Generals Professor George Obiozor and Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu died in office.
Meanwhile, in a brief acceptance speech, Mbata thanked the governors of the South-East region for their support and confidence in him.
Speaking to newsmen after the election, the newly elected National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuckwu, highlighted the significance of the election and the unity displayed by Ndigbo from various sectors during the process.
Said he: “Today is a great day in the history of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as Ndigbo massively came out, representing different sets of opinion, academia, and religious institutions as well as different organised bodies, both home and abroad and converged on Enugu to elect an able president-general in the name of John Azuta Mbata.
“There is no doubt that the President-General will do everything within his power to bring peace and unity to Igboland during his tenure. It is not even a question of people declaring for the presidency without having a general assembly,” he added.
Chuckwu also described Mbata as a “loving man of peace” who holds the welfare of the Igbo nation in high regard.
In his speech at the election, the host governor and Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, stressed the need for a strong and united front by Ndigbo, urging all to put the Igbo interest above narrow interests and partisan politics.
Said he: “We may be gathered here for the crucial task of electing members into the National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, but this epic event yet offers room for introspection, regarding the noble vision that inspired our forebears towards its founding.
“The ties that bind us run deep and transcend geographical boundaries, for we are bound by a common history and cultural heritage. Our forebears clearly understood this. They understood, as well, that unity is a formidable force.
“From the Igbo Federal Union to the Igbo State Union and the Igbo Forum that would later become Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979, the motivation had always been the desire to forge unity and deep brotherhood amongst the Igbo.”
However, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Senator Mbata on his election as the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The President’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, Tinubu wished the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndigbo president success as he takes on this onerous yet noble and lofty task.
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