BEVERLY HILLS, March 28, (THEWILL) – The Elders Council of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group in Nigeria, has met in Owerri and mandated its President, Professor George Obiozor, to begin immediate consultation with other ethnic groups in Nigeria, to actualise the goal of an Igbo President for Nigeria come 2023.
This decision is contained in a communique issued by the group to newsmen after its meeting at the Government House in Owerri.
The communiqué, which was signed by the President General, Obiozor, and the Secretary General, Amb Okey Emuchay, HRH Eze Cletus IIomuanya, HE Chief Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, HE Senator T.heodore Orji, Archbishop Emmanuel hukwuma, Barr. Giddy Uwazuruike, High Chief Joel Kroham, Agbogidi Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, HE HRH Eze LOC Agubuzu , Gen Abel Obi Umah, agreed that there was need for the different components of the Nigerian nations to come together and dialogue on its future.
The Council argued that 2023 would be the turn of the Igbo to occupy the position of the President, just as they warned some politicians from the zone to desist from speaking against zoning.
The communique read: “The Elders’ Council mandated the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide to work with Igbo socio-political intelligensia to pursue the task of ensuring that Ala Igbo takes the turn in producing the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2023.
“The elders’ council frowned at the sudden rhetoric from partisan leaders in Igboland that zoning should be de-emphasised. Insisting that even if that will be, it will be after Igbo have taken their turn.
“The council mandated the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to also work in consultation with other ethnic groups in pursuant of this objective. We urge every Igbo man with the needed capacity to show interest in the 2023 presidency.”
Speaking on the security challenges faced by the region, the group said: “The council mandates Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership to work in consultation with the state governments in Ala Igboland, to reduce the vulnerability of those residing outside Igboland to the current abysmal state of affairs.
“The council agrees that Ala Igboland needs a security outfit to begin to address the things that are peculiar to the culture, religion, and tradition of Ala Igboland.”
Present at the meeting was Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma as host, alongside his Ebonyi State counterpart, Governor Dave Umahi.
Other dignitaries at the meeting include former governors of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim, former governor of Abia state, currently a Senator, Theodore Orji, as well as former and serving members of the National Assembly members, first republic minister, Mbazulike Amaechi.
Also at the meeting were the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, former Ohanaeze President, Nnia Nwodo, Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, Obi of Onitsha, of Igwe Alfred Achebe, Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical province, Emmanuel Chukwuma among others.
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