FELIX NWANERI writes on the emergence of a brand new management of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which comes at a time many imagine that there’s want for daring and uncompromising management given the challenges confronting Igbo individuals
After months of intrigues and political horse-trading, the apex Igbo physique, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, elected a brand new management final week led by John AzutaMbata, a former senator.
The Ikwerre born politician and businessman, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District within the Senate between 1999 and 2007, succeeds Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu because the group’s president normal, an indigene of Imo State. Chukwu was appointed in December to finish the tenure of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who died on July 25, 2024.
Iwuanyanwu, on his half, was named president-general of the group after the demise of Prof. George Obiozor in 2022. Each hailed from Imo State. Elected alongside Azuta-Mbata are Okey Nwadinobi, from Abia State as nationwide deputy president, whereas Emeka Sibeidu, a former deputy governor of Anambra State, was elected secretary-general.
Others are Dan Okenyi (deputy secretarygeneral), Charles Kalu (nationwide monetary secretary), Jane Nwangele (assistant nationwide monetary secretary), Peter Aneke (nationwide treasurer), Nnanna Nwakwo (assistant nationwide treasurer), Okeagu Ogada (nationwide authorized adviser), Chizoba Iheka (assistant nationwide authorized adviser), Ezechukwu Ezechi (nationwide publicity secretary) and Bismarck Orji (assistant nationwide publicity secretary). 5 different individuals had been elected as vice president-generals for states which didn’t produce a president-general or deputy president.
They’re Omeife Jideofor (Anambra), John Duru (Imo), Ngozi Olejime (Delta), Peter Mbam (Ebonyi) and Fred Eze (Enugu). The presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo rotates among the many 5 states of the South-East – Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo – in addition to South-South sates of Delta and Rivers. It’s presently Rivers state’s flip to carry the place.
Emergence of the previous lawmaker as president-general of the apex Igbo just isn’t solely well timed, however comes at a time Ndigbo are desirous of Igbo renaissance in a Nigerian nation, the place the varied ethnic nationalities are making concerted efforts to harness their respective potentials. He’s additionally coming at a time some Igbos, notably the youth, are disenchanted with Nigerian authorities and are clamoring for self-determination.
Chequered historical past
Ohanaeze Ndigbo historical past dates again to the Nineteen Thirties with the formation of the Lagos Igbo Union, following its members’ want to host a celebration for Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam, the second Igbo doctor to return from his instructional pursuit in Britain.
By giving voice to the plight of the Igbo in Lagos, the union was in a position to acquire traction. It began to enlarge to incorporate all the Jap Area in 1943 after altering its identify to Igbo Federal Union. Consequently, Ndigbo had been in a position to unite and purchase a point of consciousness via the union.
A pan-Igbo convention came about in December 1948 in Port Harcourt in what was then the Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria dominated by the British Empire. The Igbo State Union was established through the convention by Igbo elites and intellectuals to advance the pursuits of Igbos. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe assumed workplace as its first president.
The Igbo State Union’s subsequent president was Chief Z.C. Obi. The Union made an effort to stay politically impartial presently. Upon assuming workplace as Head of State, Normal Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi outlawed all political events in addition to ethnic, cultural, and social organisations.
Consequently, in Could 1966, the Igbo State Union was banned. After the 1966 anti-Igbo pogrom and the Nigerian Civil Battle, distinguished Igbo leaders felt the necessity to provoke the displaced Igbo individuals into one umbrella physique, which might function a safety and unifying drive for the frequent curiosity of the Igbo.
The sociopolitical circumstances that gave beginning to Ohanaeze Ndigbo are as related as we speak as they had been within the Seventies. So, we’d by no means wanted this group greater than we do as we speak
Tons of of those distinguished Igbos convened to unify Ndigbo beneath a brand new umbrella organisation, the Igbo Nationwide Meeting (INA). The organisation was later banned by the then navy authorities over suspicion that the group was a grand design by Ndigbo to regroup for an additional section of armed rebel in opposition to the Nigerian authorities.
In 1976, the Igbo Discussion board was undauntedly shaped with Dr. Akanu Ibiam as chairman, Justice Daddy Onyeama as vice chairman, Chief Jerome Udoji as secretary normal and Mr. Jacob Agwu as assistant secretary, whereas Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was its patron.
Nonetheless, the proscription of INA didn’t deter Ndigbo, who via the management of Akanu Ibiam and a famend constitutional lawyer, Prof. Ben Nwabueze (SAN), renamed the Igbo Discussion board, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979.
Whereas Dr. Akanu Ibiam emerged the pioneer president normal of the group, Prof. Nwabueze served as pioneer secretary-general between 1976 and 1979.
Subsequent leaders of the group are Chief Mathias Ugochukwu (1979-1983); Prof. Nwabueze (1984-2000), Justice Eze Ozobu (2001- 2003), Prof. Joe Irukwu (2004-2006), Dr. Dozie Ikedife (2006-2008), Amb. Raph Uwechue (2008-2012), Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey (2012-2016), Chief John Nnia Nwodo (2017-2021)., Prof, George Obiozor (2021-2022), Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (2022-2024) and Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu (2024).
Ohanaeze Ndigbo just isn’t a political celebration, however was deliberate to function a clearing home in issues affecting the curiosity and normal welfare of the Igbo talking individuals in Nigeria and the remainder of the world. Its construction on the nationwide degree has the Normal Meeting as the very best coverage making physique.
That is adopted by the Ime-Obi (internal caucus) and the Council of Elders, that are serviced by the Govt Committee and different varied standing committees. The construction is equally replicated within the state and native authorities chapters. It might even be famous that the group’s structure was amended in 1999, which gave room for the mixing of each the youth and ladies into its fold.
Excessive-wired politics
The build-up to final Friday’s election was not a tea celebration. The race for the workplace of president-general produced by Rivers State consistent with the group’s rotational settlement, was characterised by high-wire politics.
There was equally the worry that the emergence of Ozichukwu’s successor wouldn’t solely be decided by pedigree as pursuits past Igbo land had been a part of the intrigues. Inside wrangling additionally rocked the apex Igbo physique forward of the election.
This explains the emergence of three presidentgenerals in parallel elections held by completely different factions within the group. Within the first election carried out by one of many factions on January 5, in Port Harcourt, Jackson Omenazu, an Ikwerre man from Rivers State, was introduced because the group’s president-general.
One other election was carried out on Friday, January 5, the place Barr. Uche Okwukwu, a former secretary-general of the group was introduced as the brand new president-general.
The third election, which held on the Previous Authorities Lodge in Enugu, the Enugu State capital the identical day (January 10) and noticed the emergence of Senator AzutaMbata, little question, had the endorsement of Igbo political management. Amongst those that witnessed the election embrace Governors Peter Mba (Enugu), Hope Uzodimma (Imo), Charles Soludo (Anambra) and the deputy governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila.
Herculean activity
Little question, the headship of Ohanaeze comes with challenges, however many imagine that Azuta-Mbata, who served in numerous committees, together with Defence, Info, Works and Housing, Girls Affairs, Finance and Appropriation, amongst others., whereas within the Senate, has what it takes to guide the Igbo nation revered for his or her republican nature, which loathes the focus of energy within the arms of people.
This, maybe, knowledgeable insistence by some notable Igbo little kids forward of the election on the necessity for the delegates to not yield to any type of stress from inside or exterior Igbo land to elect individuals with vested partisan pursuits and cleavages or surrogates of promoters of the current feudal system in Nigeria, however to make sure the enthronement of an uncommon and unconventional management that can confront the established order with out worry.
It was reasoned that Ndigbo can’t afford the luxurious of permitting compromised components of the Nigerian institution, typical politicians, and sponsored representatives of exterior pursuits to take the driving seat of the management of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Whereas the Ohanaeze Ndigbo new president-general is but to unveil his agenda, there isn’t any doubt that he acknowledges the enormity of the duty forward of the Igbo apex physique given the state of affairs in Igbo land and the challenges Ndigbo are going through, notably insecurity.
Stakeholders set agenda
As anticipated, felicitations have continued to pour in from personalities and teams for the brand new management of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. In varied statements, Igbo stakeholders, comprising political and enterprise leaders, expressed confidence that AzutaMbata will unite and successfully place the Igbo race within the nation’s political panorama.
They, nevertheless, tasked the brand new president-general to accord precedence to safety of Igbo cultural heritage and restoration of safety in Igbo land. Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, who’s amongst Igbo stakeholders to shortly set agenda for the brand new Ohanaeze management, not solely confused the necessity for a powerful and united entrance by Ndigbo, however known as on all to place Igbo curiosity above slender pursuits and partisan politics.
Mbah, who famous that the socio-political circumstances that gave beginning to the pan Igbo physique remained related in present-day Nigeria as they had been within the Seventies, extolled the management pedigrees of Igbo leaders similar to Dr. Michael Okpara, whom he mentioned demonstrated how a lot may very well be achieved when patriotism, altruism and sense of brotherhood are on the core of management.
Talking shortly earlier than the election, the Enugu State governor mentioned: “We could also be gathered right here for the essential activity of electing members into the Nationwide Govt Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, however this epic occasion but affords a room for introspection, concerning the noble imaginative and prescient that impressed our forebears in direction of its founding. “The ties that bind us run deep and transcend geographical boundaries, for we’re sure by a typical historical past and cultural heritage.
Our forebears clearly understood this. They understood, as properly, that unity is a formidable drive. “From the Igbo Federal Union to the Igbo State Union and the Igbo Discussion board that will later develop into Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979, the motivation had all the time been the will to forge unity and deep brotherhood amongst the Igbo.
“For them, the collective curiosity was all that mattered; not slender curiosity formed by celebration affiliation and boundary strains. Ohanaeze Ndigbo represents the soul of our individuals, and is firmly anchored on the conviction that we’re stronger collectively. That soul of the individuals is our unifying drive. “The socio-political circumstances that gave beginning to Ohanaeze Ndigbo are as related as we speak as they had been within the Seventies. So, we’d by no means wanted this group greater than we do as we speak.
“Our founders and forebears had been nice women and men forward of their time. They left for us a glimpse of how a lot that may be achieved when fostering brotherhood is the defining essence of management. “The Premiers of the previous Jap Area, who ruled from right here, left indelible imprints seen in Enugu as a lot as in cities like Port Harcourt, Abakaliki, Owerri, Aba, Onitsha, Umuahia, and many others.
There isn’t any doubt that Azuta-Mbata possesses the mandatory credentials to champion the reason for Ndigbo and strategically place the Igbo individuals throughout the complexities of as we speak’s Nigerian politics
“That’s the definition of statesmanship. Our forebears had been statesmen, who appreciated the expediency of rising above partisan politics when the decision of unity beckoned. We will definitely obtain way more after we totally embrace the worth of talking as a collective voice – not as lone, discordant voices.
Championing of Igbo trigger
A former governor of Abia State and senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Orji Uzor Kalu, on his half, mentioned he’s assured that Senator Azuta Mbata will carry his wealth of expertise to bear as president-general of the apex Igbo physique.
His phrases: “I lengthen my heartfelt congratulations to you, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, in your emergence because the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“Through the years, you’ve established your self as a distinguished businessman, politician, and statesman, serving Rivers State and Nigeria with excellence and dedication. “I’m assured that your wealth of expertise and experience will significantly profit this function.
There isn’t any doubt that Senator Azuta-Mbata possess the mandatory credentials to champion the reason for Ndigbo and strategically place the Igbo individuals throughout the complexities of as we speak’s Nigerian politics. “Please know that I stay totally dedicated to supporting you as we transfer ahead collectively.”
Concepts that’ll drive peace, devt
A former governor of Anambra State and the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, who additionally congratulated members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo new govt, described their election as a mirrored image of the arrogance and hope that the Igbo individuals have of their management skills and dedication to the event of the area and the nation as an entire.
He expressed the hope that they are going to use their positions to advertise peace and unity in Nigeria and generate concepts that can foster improvement, peace and progress among the many individuals.
He mentioned: “Their emergence because the leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the umbrella physique that unites the Igbo individuals, underscores the extent of confidence and hope the individuals have of their management means and their dedication to the event of the area and the nation basically,” Obi said.
“I pray that they are going to leverage their new workplaces to proceed to work for the peace and unity of our nation and contribute immeasurably to concepts that can drive improvement, peace, and progress among the many individuals.”
Promotion of Igbo values
Ebonyi State governor, Francis Nwifuru, who additionally congratulated the newlyelected govt of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, expressed the assumption that Azuta-Mbata will leverage his expertise to contribute to the group’s additional progress and improvement.
“This pivotal function affords a chance to unite and advance the pursuits of our ethnic group, selling our wealthy cultural heritage, values, and aspirations.
•I’m assured that beneath your in a position management, you’ll proceed to function a beacon of progress, fostering unity, improvement, and a stronger sense of identification among the many Igbo individuals,” he mentioned, assuring the organisation of his administration’s help of their shared purpose of addressing the challenges confronted by Ndigbo.
Name for collaboration
The South East Senate Caucus, in its endorsement of Azuta-Mbata’s emergence as president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, described it as a milestone within the historical past of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
Chief of the caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, mentioned they’ve confidence in Azuta-Mbata’s pedigree and management qualities which might be strong sufficient to steer Ohanaeze to attain the a lot desired unity and improvement in Igboland in addition to the flexibility to achieve out to comparable associations exterior Igbo land to reinforce good relationship for the unity of Nigeria.
•We as a caucus have the arrogance that Ohanaeze as constituted beneath the management of Senator Azuta-Mbata will weave all the Igbo race cohesively collectively in unity, peace and make Ohanaeze a veritable rallying level for Ndigbo wherever they might be.
•Such trajectory we imagine will little question encourage, instill confidence and reinvigorate the flexibility of our individuals to pursue their particular person and collective purpose to attain sustainable improvement for the general good thing about Igboland and Nigeria.
•The caucus additionally lauds the delegates on the normal meeting and the political management, notably the state governors for his or her unwavering dedication to help the brand new Ohanaeze management to succeed,” Abaribe mentioned.
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