BY RALPH EJIMKONYE
The race for Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Presidency has taken a new dimension, particularly after the adoption of Prof George Obiozor, as consensus candidate for the plum job by some concerned “stakeholders” in Imo State.
Governor Hope Uzodinma is backing the candidature of the former diplomat, a development which has set the stage for fireworks from various quarters in the State.
Imo State is to produce the next President of the organization in line with Ohaneze Ndi Igbo’s rotation policy for the office of President of the organization. With less than a month to the election,Obiozor’s adoption had ignited controversy.
Obiozor had visited the Imo State House of Assembly, where he unveiled his plans for the organization when elected as President. The House as expected backed his aspiration.
But former Secretary to the Government of Imo State and one time member of the House of Representatives , Uche Onyeagocha, picked holes in Obiozor’s aspiration.
Speaking at the third anniversary of the popular Egbu Declaration summit held in Owerri, he condemned in strong terms, the purported endorsement of Obiozor, as sole candidate for the position of Ohaneze Ndigbo by few individuals. He described it as “tragic error and monumental aberration”
This newspaper gathered that other aspirants in the race, are also not happy over the adoption, thus setting the stage for sharp division among notable elites in the State.
Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is said to have led the Committee which adopted Obiozor as consensus candidate.
“This is not proper. All the candidates jostling for the position of President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo from Imo State should have been given a level playing ground to vie for the position.The adoption is a pre determined move to short change others and install their preferred choice” said a source close to one of the aspirants disenchanted with the adoption.
A group, Ohaneze Youth Council, in a statement by Igboayaka Igboayaka, in Owerri, took a swipe at the outgoing President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, John Nwodo “for his inability to uphold the Constitution of Ohaneze Ndigbo as regards the forthcoming 2021 election”
Igboayaka accused Nwodo of collaborating with South East Governors to install Prof George Obiozor as next President General of Ohaneze..
“It is regrettable that Nnia Nwodo in his insatiable political adventure have perfected plans to sell Ohaneze Ndigbo to political profiteers” he said.
He noted that Article 11 of the Constitution only empowers the President General to summon the National Executive Committee, (NEC), the Council of Elders, Ime Obi and General Assembly through the Secretary General, therefore, the meeting summoned by Nnia Nwodo were he asked governors to forward two names in each state out of three persons to set up electoral Committee is unconstitutional.
He said “the choreograph plan which Nnia Nwodo and Senator Hope Uzodinma, hatched to bring in Prof George Obiozor is an insult to the entire Igbo race and also a bridge of the Constitution Article 11 chapter 15 (b) which overruled consensus candidacy.
Another Group, Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, advised that a level playing ground should be given to all the candidates vying for Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Presidency. The group said all the aspiring candidates should have been allowed to voted for or voted against at the presidential election of the organization.
“There is no need adopting any candidate. Prof Obiozor and other candidates aspiring to lead Ohaneze Ndigbo are all qualified to hold the position. None of them is a pushover.” said Fidelis Echendu, Publicity Secretary of the Coalition.
“But the process must be transparent and not trying to change the goal post in the middle of the game. This will bring disaffection,and erode the integrity of Ohaneze Ndigbo if the processes of holding it’s presidential election is twisted to favour a particular candidate even before the election” Echendu stated.
Also, former Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State chapter, Dr. Chris Asoluka, had decried the heat and controversies generated from rumoured endorsement of some persons as candidates for soon-to-be vacant offices in the leadership of Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation -Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He had emphasized that there are no candidates yet until an election committee and the guidelines have been approved by Ime-Obi.
Four candidates from Imo State are said to be jostling for Ohaneze Ndigbo Presidency. They are Joseph Osuagwu, Prof Jeo Nworgu, Chris Asoluka and Prof George Obiozor.
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