The president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, has pledged to ensure a credible and peaceful election for the next leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
Mr Chukwu made the promise on Friday in Owerri while inaugurating the screening and election committees for the exercise slated for January 2025.
Mr Chukwu, whose tenure will end on January 10, 2025, was appointed to lead the body following the death of erstwhile president-general Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imo Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by C.J. Ihemedu, presented Mr Chukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the remaining period of a four-year tenure allotted to Imo.
The Imo slot suffered huge setbacks, first with the death of George Obiozor in 2022, who Iwuanyanwu replaced.
Mr Chukwu, who called the committee members to eschew nepotism and insist on the rule of law, harped on the need to sustain the reputation of excellence for which the Igbo nation is known.
“We’ll not take excuses as all your actions will be monitored. The future is in your hands. You’ll live with your conscience and you’ll be judged by history as you carry out this assignment,” Mr Chukwu said.
Responding, the chairman of the committee, Ejiofor Onyia, thanked Chukwu for finding him and other members worthy of the assignment.
Mr Onyia promised to do his best to achieve the organisation’s set goals.
He appealed to Igbo leaders – the Imeobi, General Assembly and committee members – to cooperate with the committees and be free to contest, play by the rules and avoid cutting corners.
Eme Okoro was appointed the screening committee chairman, and Fabian Onah was appointed secretary.
Members of the committee included Mr Ndubisi Jaja-Wachukwu, Chris Eluemuno, Selina Ugwuoke-Adibuah, Dave Nwachukwu, Ray Nkemdirim, Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor, amongst others.
(NAN)
