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CONFUSION AS TWO IKWERRE SONS CLAIM LEADERSHIP OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been thrown into confusion as two prominent Ikwerre sons are now claiming the position of President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
On one hand, Senator John Azuta-Mbata was elected as the 13th President-General during an election in Enugu on Friday.
Azuta-Mbata, a former senator who represented Rivers East in National Assembly from 1999 to 2007, succeeded Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, whose tenure had ended.
His election marks a historic moment as he hails from Rivers State in South-south Nigeria.
In another development, a renowned activist and lawyer, Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu, was also declared President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide during the organisation’s convention in Port Harcourt.
According to a report, the returning officer, Achi Achi, disclosed that Okwukwu was elected unopposed after a process led by the progressive movement in Igboland, which took place from Thursday to Friday.
Both leaders were chosen to lead the same organisation, creating a state of uncertainty within Ohanaeze.
The General Assembly declared Okwukwu’s victory, citing his commitment to the defence of Igbo interests and his dedication to upholding the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The emergence of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by the Ikwerre is a strategic move aimed at reintegrating the people who had registered as a separate ethnic group in Nigeria after the civil war, citing alleged maltreatment by the Igbo hinterland during that period.
Mbata who was elected via voice voting, have 15 others also elected to be part of his new executive. They are
President General: Senator John Azuta Mbata (Rivers State)
Deputy President General: Okey Nwadinobi (Abia State)
Secretary General: Engr Emeka Sibeudu (Anambra State)
Deputy Secretary General: Dan Okenyi (Delta State)
Vice President General: Omeife Omeife Jideofor (Anambra State)
Vice President General: Chief John Duru (Imo State)
Vice President General: Dr. Ngozi Oleiime (Delta State)
Vice President General: Dr. Peter Mbam (Ebonyi State)
Vice President General: Prof. Fred Eze (Enugu State)
National Treasurer: Dr. Peter Chidera Aneke (Enugu State)
Assistant National Treasurer: Nnanna Nwakwo (Rivers State)
National Financial Secretary: Charles Kalu Nkata (Abia State)
Assistant National Financial Secretary: Jane Nwanga (Ebonyi State)
National Public Secretary: Dr. Ezechukwu Ezechi (Imo State)
Assistant National Publicity Secretary: Bismarck Orji (Enugu State)
National Legal Adviser: Barr Okeagu Ogada (Ebonyi State)
Assistant National Legal Adviser:Barr Chizoba Iheka (Imo State)
The five governors of the South-East region, as well as leaders of thoughts, and other political stakeholders from the Igbo extraction were all present at the election in Enugu of Senator Mbata on Friday.
Meanwhile some observers of the politics which had influenced the Ohanaeze Ndigbo election allege that Senator Mbata is loyal to President Bola Tinubu and got massive consensus support and endorsement from loyalists of the President against Barr Okwukwu who is believed to be the leader of the radical faction of the organization and loyal to former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.
