***As contestants vow action against inclusion of non-Rivers candidates
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Dim Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu, candidate contesting for President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the forthcoming Ohaneze Ndigbo election has promised to unite all Igbos if elected President-General of the apex socio-cultural group of Ndigbo on January 10, 2025.
This is even as other contestants from Rivers state have stated their resolve to boycott any election or activity that will include the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Chief Mike Okiro as Rivers state candidate in the forthcoming election.
This disclosure was made in an interview and press conference at the weekend in Port Harcourt the Rivers state capital by Okwukwu, the frontrunner in the much anticipated election.
Okwukwu an indigene of Elele, an Igbo community in Rivers state said that the venue for the election scheduled for January 9 and 10, 2025 had remained secret for security reasons as he lamented that Igbos are presently battling with an existential threat, a situation which according to him, calls for urgent intervention by selfless, courageous and people oriented leader.
The former Secretary-General of the group and a member of Ime- Obi, who has won various awards for the advancement of Igbo cause acknowledged his contributions to the development of Ohanaeze and promised to bring to bear his wealth of experience while also urging delegates to vote according to their conscience.
The Ohaneze chieftain also noted that the position of the President-General was specifically zoned to Igbo indigenes of Rivers state, wondering why the likes of Chief Mike Okiro whom he alleged is from Obiakpu in Egbema axis of Imo State should be allowed to contest.
He said that the zoning would enable him showcase his leadership prowess and also strive to repositioning the south-East which has been ravaged by insecurity arising from kidnapping and wanton killing resulting to economic stagnation. He therefore rallied support from Rivers and other chapters while also assuring them of enormous benefits in the alignment.
His words, “Igbos in Rivers constitute a sizeable proportion in terms of population and landmass, proper collaboration with other ethnic groups would go a long way to strengthening political and social aspirations.
”The local government areas that make up Igbos in Rivers include Obigbo, Omuma, Etche, Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West excluding the Engenni tribe.
‘In line with constitutional zoning, only candidates from Rivers are eligible to contest for position of the President-General,” he said.
According to him, no fewer than 200 delegates across states and interest groups would participate in the election including 30 delegates from each of the South-East states, 15 from Rivers,15 from Delta.
The Ohanaeze chieftain also promised to ensure prudence and transparency as well as regional development through sovereign Trust Funds that would be managed by board of Trustees independent of Ohaneze executive.
However, rising from a press conference, some contestants of the Ohaneze Ndigbo president, – General Election have insisted that the right thing be done by allowing only the candidates from Rivers state to contest the election stating that anything to the contrary would bring the Ohaneze electoral umpire to disrepute.
They insisted that the essence of the press conference by Dim Uchechukwu Nnam Okwukwu, Chief Fyneface Amechi and Chief Jackson Omenazu, is to state their position, “that any individual, organization or agent of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide that deals with Chief Mike as a Rivers candidate for the January 2025, Ohaneze election will be seen as enemy of indigenous people of Rivers State as Okiro is from Imo State.”
They stated their resolve “to boycott any activity that includes Okiro as a Rivers man, including the election.”
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