Ohanaeze set to elect new leader, unveils screening, election committees

The President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, on Friday in Owerri, Imo State capital, inaugurated the screening and election committees for the election of a new president-general.

Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the tenure of Imo State after the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has pledged to ensure a credible, peaceful election of his successor in January 2025.

He said, “Every Igbo man and woman should give the committee cooperation to deliver on an election that will be adjudged the best. There will be a level playing ground for the process.

“Let’s produce quality candidates that will stand in for the election. Remember, offices are zoned to different states; go and know what is zoned to your state and concentrate on emerging from that office.

“We believe in due process. Follow the process and show discipline.”

Chukwu called on the committee’s members to eschew nepotism and insist on the rule of law.

He also harped on the need to sustain the reputation of excellence for which the Igbo nation is known.

“We’ll not take excuses, as all your actions will be monitored. Do not take anything for granted. The future of Ndigbo is in your hands; you’ll live with your conscience, and you’ll be judged by history as you carry out this quintessential assignment,” he added.

The electoral committee chairman, Ejiofor Onyia, who spoke on behalf of the members of the screening committee led by Eme Okoro, thanked the PG for finding him and other committee members worthy of the assignment and promised to do his best to achieve the organisation’s set goals.

Onyia appealed to Igbo leaders—the Imeobi, General Assembly, and committee members—to cooperate with the committees.

He said, “Feel free to contest, play by the rules, and avoid cutting corners. We have nothing to lose if we produce candidates of capacity and quality.

“Nobody is earmarked for any position. It’s going to be a clear-cut contest. We shall deliver in producing a PG that Ndigbo will be proud of us.”

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It was reported that Chukwu, whose tenure will end on January 10, 2025, was appointed to lead the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation following the death of former PG, Iwuanyanwu.

In line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imo Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Mr Ihemedu, presented Chukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the balance of a four-year tenure allotted to Imo, which was cut short by the deaths of Prof. George Obiozor in 2022 and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in 2024.