Eminent Banking Executive and Convener/National Coordinator of Abia Professionals, Mr Sonny Iroche, has called on members of a specific group weighing in on the outcome of Sunday’s election for the position of Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide to issue a joint statement/report on the overall conduct of the exercise.
According to the frontline private sector captain and convener of Abia Professionals, this move has become imperative “because some of the information emanating from different commentators are quite disturbing and may not augur well for the Pan Igbo umbrella organization, which if not properly managed could lead to splinter groups.”
It would be recalled that Professor George Obiozor, a former NIgerian Ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus was said have been elected as President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ndigbo, at Sunday’s election held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State.
However for the role of Secretary General of teh organization, Okey Egbuche as announced Secretary General by the Electoral Committee chaired by a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor Gary Igariwe.
Recall also that the role of Secretary General of the organization was reportedly ceded to Abia State in the zoning mechanics prior to the actual election. However, reacting to the mixed feelings so far generated on account of the outcome of the election into the office of the Secretary General, Sonny Iroche said it would be advisable for all those who aspired for that position to issue a joint statement to avoid a looming crisis that is capable of triggering massive split in Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Full text of Sonny Iroche’s statement reads thus:
Dear Members,
We have read several reports of the conduct of the elections of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which took place yesterday, Sunday January 10 at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri.
Prior to the elections, we read reports and statements credited to some of the aspirants for different offices. Some withdrew from the race citing perceived irregularities on the preparedness for the conduct of the elections. While others called for the postponement of the elections to give adequate time for a hitch free electoral process.
It would however, be desirable, if the members of Abia Professionals who had indicated interest in running for the office of Secretary General to issue a joint statement/report on the overall conduct of the elections.
Because some of the information emanating from different commentators are quite disturbing and may not augur well for the Pan Igbo umbrella organization, which if not properly managed could lead to splinter groups. Considering the existence of a faction of Ohanaeze, different from the Nnia Nwodo led main body, which is duly registered with the CAC, the affairs of the body may be in disarray.
Let us for now wait until we get a clearer picture and possible final reports before we draw our conclusion. With the unclear situation, uncertainty and quagmire surrounding the Ohanaeze Ndigbo elections, one wonders how we shall organize and prepare Ndigbo and the rest of the country in the quest come 2023 for a Nigerian President of South East extraction. For as the saying goes, ‘a house divided amongst itself, cannot stand’
I guess, God willing, only time will tell.
Sonny IROCHE
Convener/National Coordinator
January 11, 2021
