Ahead of the January 11, 2021 Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Presidential election, there are clear indications that the seven state chapters of the organization may have thrown their weight of support to one of the candidates, Dr. Chidi Osuagwu.
A reliable source told this newspaper that the endorsement of Mr. Osuagwu may take place before 30th December, 2020 in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Osuagwu is among the candidates taking part in the election, alongside Prof George Obiozor, Chris Asoluka and Jeo Nworgu, who are all from Imo State, where the presidency of the organization has been zoned to.
“I can tell you authoritatively that the seven state chapters of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo are now set to adopt their choice candidate for the presidential election, and they have settled for Dr Chidi Osuagwu as their choice” the source said
The Ohaneze Ndi Igbo presidential election had polarized the organization, when some “stakeholders” from the state adopted Prof Obiozor as consensus candidate for the plum position.This set the stage for fireworks which led to the impeachment of Imo State Chairman of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
An Electoral Committee headed by Dr. Ben Obi earlier set ip by the Ime Obi was dissolved and a new committee constituted and led by former President of the organization, Prof Igariwey.
Osuagwu had told newsmen in Owerri in November that he is committed to revive the waning Igbo language, if elected President of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, and also key into the vision of Association Of Town Unions, ASETU, which seeks “to return Ndi Igbo to that unique Igbo home grown leadership and unique approach to problem solving”
“Not only that I share this vision I look forward to working in tandem with them to reaching the grassroots and sewing back the very fabric of the Igbo race all over the world to become stronger and better positioned to play their rightful role as a people” he said
Osuagwu promised to seek a new deal for the Igbo, and also rekindle the Igbo spirit.
“If elected, my leadership must seek to rekindle that Igbo spirit, that resilient and can do attitude that has led them in the past to do the greatest things. The same spirit that helped them to survive some of the greatest challenges to ever confront any group of people on the face of the earth, yet through those rubble of despair and destruction they arose, not just to survive, but to thrive as the water mark of achievement even after a very destructive Civil helped the rest of the country to heal and progress” Osuagwu said.
READ ALSO