Maduako Igbokwe l Saturday, January 09, 2021
ONITSHA, Anambra, Nigeria – The national vice President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Charles Odunukwe, former Anambra state president of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene and the newly elected President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter Prince Emeka Udodeme have expressed optimism of a peaceful and successful enthronement of new leadership of the pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo in Owerri on Sunday.
The trio who spoke to journalists on Saturday shortly after a successful election of new officers of Anambra state chapter of Ohaneze said the Owerri elections would be peaceful and that the best would emerge.
According to Odunukwe ,the outgoing President -General of Ohaneze Ndigbo world wide, Chief Nnia Nwodo has done an excellent job and the officers are in unison that everything possible should be done to enthrone a successor in a free and fair election.
“We had our final meeting in Enugu-. At NEC meeting, he had a fantastic relationship with us . You can’t have any of us counter Chief Nnia Nwodo. We don’t support a splinter group. Nnia Nwodo did very well and carried everybody along. As for national election scheduled for Owerri on Sunday, so far so good. There is understanding though not to say there are no opposition but eventually we will come out smiling, successful and happy.
“The presidency of Ohaneze is no way or manner for sale. It will go to someone who will serve the interest of Ndi Igbo with honesty and credibility” Also speaking, Chief Okeke-Ogene who wants to take over from Odunukwe said people should not misunderstand the seeming misunderstanding in Ohaneze Ndigbo because Igbo are republicans.
He dismissed the insinuations that Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership may be influenced by other ethnic groups, saying that Igbo can always settle their misunderstanding, no matter what happens. According to Ogene, though some people have gone to court to stop the elections, the Ohaneze would come out victorious.
He expressed sadness over the Republican nature of the igboman, saying that socio-cultural organization is not a political organization and the leadership should be by succession.
“You don’t see Arewa or Afenifere going into elections to elect their leaders but their leadership emerge through succession” he said. On the choice of candidate in the election, Okeke-Ogene said Anambra delegates have no preferred candidate and that they will play with other states at the election.
In the Anambra state chapter election that was conducted, Udodeme, Emeka Festus was elected President while Hon. Titus Akpudo was elected Vice-President. Also, Okafor, Chukwu dubem Emmanuel was elected Secretary, Iwuchukwu, Godwin Treasurer and Nwafor, Frederick Sunday Financial Secretary.
Other officers elected are: Omatali, Samuel Udogalanya, Assistant Secretary Olumba, Gilbert Chukwuka, Publicity Secretary, Ezeofor, Peter Onyebuchi – Organizing Secretary , Emelife, Emmanuel Chinweuba, Assistant Treasurer, Chief Hon. Samuel Nweke, Assistant Publicity Secretary, Okafor, Innocent Nwabuike, Assistant Financial Secretary and Odianma, Moses Nnamdi Assistant Organizing Secretary. They were immediately sworn in after the election
