Fresh details have emerged on how Senator John Azuka-Mbata secured the position of the 13th President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, amidst high-stakes political maneuvering.
Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District in the Senate from 1999 to 2007, was elected during a meeting of the group held in Enugu.
He is a key ally of FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, benefited from strategic backing after the Ohaneze Ndigbo seat was zoned to Rivers State.
Azuka-Mbata’s candidacy, allegedly weakened former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro’s ambition.
Okiro’s ambition was reportedly hindered by questions surrounding his origin, as he was alleged to hail from Egbema in Imo State, which clashed with zoning arrangements.
While Azuka-Mbata garnered support from South-East governors, particularly those in the APC, a parallel election in Port Harcourt elected activist lawyer Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu as a rival President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Okwukwu, who ran unopposed, was elected by a faction in Port Harcourt during at it’s convention.
Tinubu Congratulates Azuka- Mbata
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the foremost Pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu also commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for successfully transitioning its leadership.
He called on the newly elected executives to uphold the principles and vision of their predecessors in fostering unity among the Igbo people and contributing to nation-building.
The President reiterated his belief in the importance of socio-cultural organizations in promoting dialogue and harmony among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities.
He affirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering such engagement to strengthen the country’s unity.
“President Tinubu wishes the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndigbo President success as he takes on this onerous yet noble and lofty task,” the statement read.