There was confusion yesterday in Enugu as Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex
Igbo socio-cultural organisation, elected its new national executive,
with Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey from Ebonyi State, emerging as the
President-General. He was returned unopposed as the other two
contestants for the position were not available.
But while the election was going on in Enugu, there were reports that traditional rulers of certain stakeholder states like Ebonyi, Imo and Delta and some other leaders rejected the exercise, alleging that it was manipulated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the out-going President-General, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue.
Although proceedings at the venue of the election appeared peaceful, signs of disagreement were first noticed shortly after the commencement of the voting, when some prominent leaders and elders of Ohanaeze present at the election, left the venue rather abruptly. Among the leaders that left long before the end of the election were Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Professor A. B. C. Nwosu, who were alleged to have left in anger, and to have proceeded to another meeting on the affairs of Ohanaeze.
A source at the venue of the event, who is one of the contestants for a national position, told The Nation in a telephone chat yesterday that the elders actually walked out of the venue because they were not satisfied with the way the out-going executive handled the election.
But in a telephone chat last night, Nwosu said: “I didn’t walk out. I left the venue because I had some other function to attend.” Asked if he was satisfied with the Ohanaeze election, he said, “I am not in a position to answer that question now. But all I can say is that the elders of Ohanaeze will certainly hold a post election meeting with the aim of ensuring that there is no rancour in Ohanaeze, ensuring that the governors, the traditional rulers and Ohanaeze work together harmoniously.”
Emma Okocha, who was contesting for the position of National Publicity Secretary, however, told The Nation yesterday that the election was in bad faith and cannot stand. He corroborated the allegation that the election was manipulated by the out-going leadership and the PDP. Okocha alleged that the PDP took over the election, flooding the election venue with policemen armed to the teeth.
He contended that the election was “illegal, one, because of the court injunction restraining Uwechue from holding such election and, two, because the Ime Obi, the highest organ of Ohanaeze, had earlier put the election date for January 17. It is therefore curious that Uwechue suddenly rescheduled it for the 12th without adequate information and approval. We are hereby rejecting this election and will hold the real election on 17th, the real date”
But when The Nation called Uwechue’s number yesterday, an aide, who refused to give his name, he was still at the centre of the election. He, however, denied that Ime Obi slated the election for 17th, alleging that it was slated for between 12th and 17th.
Investigation by The Nation, however, shows that some traditional rulers from Imo, Ebonyi, Delta states and others were not aware of yesterday’s election and may soon send their petitions, as most of them are alleged to have sworn to adhere only to Ime Obi’s timetable.
Also, when contacted on telephone yesterday, it was obvious from his responses that the former President-General of Ohanaeze, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, was not aware the election actually. After confirming from our reporter that the election actually held and after making enquiries over the results, he declined giving his reactions. He said simply, “Please, I will need to study the whole thing before commenting.”
In spite of the confusion, however, it is on record officially that a
new executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo emerged yesterday with
Enwo-Igariwey, elected President-General.
The position of secretary general was won by Dr. Joe Nworgu, who defeated two others with 211 votes to their 43 and 10.
Elected also were O. A. U. Onyema from Enugu State as deputy president general; I. N. Wonwu from Rivers State as the deputy secretary general; Mrs. Selina Adibua from Enugu, financial secretary and Emma Ajoku vice president, Rivers State.
In attendance were Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former chairmen of Ohanaeze, Igwe Eze Ozobu; and Prof. Joe Irukwu, MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike; and former military governor of Imo state, Joe Aneke.
Also in attendance were representatives affiliates of Ohanaeze Ndigbo such as Aka Ikenga, Igbo World Assembly, Igbos in the North and South West and Igbos the Diaspora.
The chairman of South East traditional rulers council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and other traditional rulers were similarly in attendance.
Meanwhile, MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday endorsed the election of new executives for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He said he was optimistic that the incoming executive would improve on the achievements of their predecessors.
THE NATION
But while the election was going on in Enugu, there were reports that traditional rulers of certain stakeholder states like Ebonyi, Imo and Delta and some other leaders rejected the exercise, alleging that it was manipulated by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the out-going President-General, Ambassador Ralph Uwechue.
Although proceedings at the venue of the election appeared peaceful, signs of disagreement were first noticed shortly after the commencement of the voting, when some prominent leaders and elders of Ohanaeze present at the election, left the venue rather abruptly. Among the leaders that left long before the end of the election were Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Professor A. B. C. Nwosu, who were alleged to have left in anger, and to have proceeded to another meeting on the affairs of Ohanaeze.
A source at the venue of the event, who is one of the contestants for a national position, told The Nation in a telephone chat yesterday that the elders actually walked out of the venue because they were not satisfied with the way the out-going executive handled the election.
But in a telephone chat last night, Nwosu said: “I didn’t walk out. I left the venue because I had some other function to attend.” Asked if he was satisfied with the Ohanaeze election, he said, “I am not in a position to answer that question now. But all I can say is that the elders of Ohanaeze will certainly hold a post election meeting with the aim of ensuring that there is no rancour in Ohanaeze, ensuring that the governors, the traditional rulers and Ohanaeze work together harmoniously.”
Emma Okocha, who was contesting for the position of National Publicity Secretary, however, told The Nation yesterday that the election was in bad faith and cannot stand. He corroborated the allegation that the election was manipulated by the out-going leadership and the PDP. Okocha alleged that the PDP took over the election, flooding the election venue with policemen armed to the teeth.
He contended that the election was “illegal, one, because of the court injunction restraining Uwechue from holding such election and, two, because the Ime Obi, the highest organ of Ohanaeze, had earlier put the election date for January 17. It is therefore curious that Uwechue suddenly rescheduled it for the 12th without adequate information and approval. We are hereby rejecting this election and will hold the real election on 17th, the real date”
But when The Nation called Uwechue’s number yesterday, an aide, who refused to give his name, he was still at the centre of the election. He, however, denied that Ime Obi slated the election for 17th, alleging that it was slated for between 12th and 17th.
Investigation by The Nation, however, shows that some traditional rulers from Imo, Ebonyi, Delta states and others were not aware of yesterday’s election and may soon send their petitions, as most of them are alleged to have sworn to adhere only to Ime Obi’s timetable.
Also, when contacted on telephone yesterday, it was obvious from his responses that the former President-General of Ohanaeze, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, was not aware the election actually. After confirming from our reporter that the election actually held and after making enquiries over the results, he declined giving his reactions. He said simply, “Please, I will need to study the whole thing before commenting.”
The position of secretary general was won by Dr. Joe Nworgu, who defeated two others with 211 votes to their 43 and 10.
Elected also were O. A. U. Onyema from Enugu State as deputy president general; I. N. Wonwu from Rivers State as the deputy secretary general; Mrs. Selina Adibua from Enugu, financial secretary and Emma Ajoku vice president, Rivers State.
In attendance were Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife; former chairmen of Ohanaeze, Igwe Eze Ozobu; and Prof. Joe Irukwu, MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike; and former military governor of Imo state, Joe Aneke.
Also in attendance were representatives affiliates of Ohanaeze Ndigbo such as Aka Ikenga, Igbo World Assembly, Igbos in the North and South West and Igbos the Diaspora.
The chairman of South East traditional rulers council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya and other traditional rulers were similarly in attendance.
Meanwhile, MASSOB leader, Ralph Uwazuruike, yesterday endorsed the election of new executives for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He said he was optimistic that the incoming executive would improve on the achievements of their predecessors.
THE NATION
No comments:
Write comments