There is a brewing confusion in the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, following the emergence of three President-Generals in parallel elections held by different factions in the group.
In the first election conducted by a factional body in Ohanaeze, on January 5 in Port Harcourt, Jackson Omenazu, an Ikwerre man from Rivers State, was announced as the group’s President-General.
But with prominent members of the group rejecting the January 5 election, another election was conducted on Friday where Barr. Uche Okwukwu, a former Secretary-General of the organisation was announced as the new President-General.
The confusion dogging the group was further played out in another parallel election held at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu, the Enugu State capital the same day.
In the Enugu election which was witnessed by Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, and the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Patricia Obila, as well as Senators Chris Ngige, Ben Obi, Victor Umeh and other Igbo dignitaries, Senator John Azuta-Mbata who represented Rivers East in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2007, was announced as the new President-General of the apex Igbo group.
Azuka-Mbata’s election seems to carry a seal of acceptance as he was reportedly elected by a consensus of prominent Igbo leaders and elders.
If his election is devoid of the usual rancour in the group, he will succeed Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, who was appointed last month to complete the tenure of Imo State previously occupied by the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Other elected officials at the Enugu election include Prince Okey Nwadinobi from Abia State who was elected National Deputy President, while Chief Emeka Sibeidu, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, was elected the new Secretary-General of the Igbo group.
Chidera Anieke from Enugu State was elected National Treasurer, Ezechukwu Ezechi from Imo State was elected National Publicity Secretary while Okey Ugwu from Ebonyi State was elected National Legal Adviser.
