Ex-Minister Nwodo Set to Emerge Ohanaeze Leader

• Organisation appoints 21-member electoral c’ttee for 2017 election

By Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Strong indications emerged yesterday that former Minister of Information, Chief John Nwodo, may emerge the next President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, as the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the organisation at the weekend set up the National Election Committee to organise its election scheduled to take place by January next year.

Nwodo’s possible emergence was sequel to his endorsement by both the Nsukka  and Enugu stakeholders during a meeting held at the Government House, Enugu sometime last week, with the state Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, in attendance.

Though it was speculated that the husband of Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, former Petroleum Minister, Chief Allison Madueke, as well as the incumbent Deputy President-General of the organisation, Chief OAU Onyema, are equally angling to join the fray, major leaders in the state may have settled for Nwodo.

The organisation has a rotational principle where president-general is rotated among the seven states of Abia, Anambra, Ebinyi, Enugu, Imo, Delta and Rivers States on alphabetical order. The incumbent leader of the group, Chief Gary Igariwey, hails from Ebonyi State, while the next is expected to be produced by Enugu State.

Meanwhile, in a statement signed by Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chairman, Ohanaeze Committee on Branches Accreditation, Revalidation and Recognition, Chief Onyema, a 21-member National Election  Committee has been composed with Prof Anya O. Anya as chairman, while former Health Minister, Prof ABC Nwosu will serve as secretary.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural body set up the committee after its meeting on December 17, 2016, held at Ohanaeze National Secretariat Enugu.

Other members of the 21-member electoral body are Prof Ohechukwu Madubuike, Dr. Chris Asoluka, Mrs. Felicia Eneh, Dr. Eddy Onuoha,  Col JOG Achuzia,  Hon. Kate Onwe and Mrs. Kate Ezeofor.

Others are Chief Godwin Nwajagu, Chief Chi Nwaorgu, Chief Elvis Chukwu, Godwin Ugwuoke, Albert Nnamani, Prof Sam Ukpabi, Onuchi Mpi, Akume Arah Azikiwe, Chief Emeka Akuma, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi, Prince Emeka Onyesoh and Prof Philip Atanmuoh.

According to the statement, with the above, the stage is gradually getting set for the emergence of a new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Organisation Worldwide.

“The list of sub-election committees for the various Igbo states election will soon be released after evaluation by the President General.

“All the seven Igbo state branches should note that their constitutional four year single tenure ends with the present NEC. Hence, they should conclude zoning of their elective positions in readiness for their state elections that the ‘sub-election committee’ will conduct soon.”