From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Chike Obidigbo, has cautioned South East governors against partisanship and imposition of preferred candidate(s) in the election of new executives to run the affairs of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
In a statement yesterday, he argued that the zoning of the position of the next President General to Rivers State has presented a golden opportunity to begin the much-needed reforms in the running of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He recalled that four years ago, the election of George Obiozor-led executives in Owerri, Imo State, brought about some controversies ranging from allegations of imposition and non-qualification of contestants.
He said the late Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who succeeded Obiozor after his demise also died before completing the remainder of the four-year term allotted to Imo State leading to last year’s nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu to oversee the forthcoming poll.
He noted that the fact that Rivers State from which the next Ohanaeze President General is expected to emerge does not have an Igbo governor, South East governors should allow aboriginal Igbo indigenes in the oil-rich state to endorse presidential candidates to participate in the election.
The elder statesman stated that the note of warning became necessary following speculations in some quarters that a governor is making plans to impose his preferred candidate in connivance with a former Rivers State governor.
He said anybody making efforts to colour the forthcoming Ohanaeze election with the brush of political partisanship or imposition of unpopular candidates should be seen as public enemy number one of Ndigbo.
“The experience of the last four years has shown that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is long overdue for reforms. I believe that the zoning of the office of the next President General to Rivers States presents a golden opportunity for this rebranding to begin.
“Ohanaeze started losing its respect and clout as the umbrella organization of all Igbo when politically exposed persons, especially state governors, began to dictate the tune for the organization. This ugly pathway should be avoided in this year’s election.
“There is no doubt that Ndi Igbo have suffered various forms of ill treatment, ranging from name-calling, socio-economic marginalisation and reputational damage.
“All these could be traced to lack of a respected organ to ventilate our collective interest and lead the charge for value reorientation of Ndigbo.”
He noted that the best way for Igbo to start regaining its respect and dignity is by doing things the proper way and electing men and women of good standing into positions of trust.
“The incoming 17-member National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze must consist of people of integrity, and that emerged from transparent election,” he declared.
He regretted that the politicization of Ohanaeze began when the otherwise socio-cultural organization started dabbling into the business of endorsing candidates of political parties in national elections.
“Next to the fight against sycophancy, I expect that the next leadership of Ohanaeze should shun any temptation to endorse or side any candidate for partisan political electoral contest.
“In presidential democracy that Nigeria practices, there is no place for collective vote of confidence or endorsement of candidates.
“Persons qualified to vote should be allowed to cast their ballot without any individual or group electing to vote the citizen by proxy,” he noted.
He expressed the hope that when respectable men and women of impeccable character are elected into Ohanaeze leadership cadre, all Igbo would begin to take interest in the organisation and contribute to its funding.
Obidigbo declared that nothing less than group funding coupled with transparent and accountable leadership will sever the umbilical cord of Ohanaeze from the purse strings of state governors.