From Magnus Eze, Enugu
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has said that the election of the next leadership of the body would follow strictly the letters of its constitution.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation stated that a new president-general will emerge at the January 2025 election from the Igbo-speaking part of Rivers State.
The current national leadership of Ohanaeze was elected on January 10, 2021.
A communiqué by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, disclosed that the decisions were taken at the NEC meeting held Wednesday at the National Secretariat, GRA, Enugu.
According to it, the meeting presided by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze, Okey Emuchay, agreed to liaise with Governors of South East States, the Ime-Obi Ohanaeze, and any other relevant bodies to work out modalities for the election of new leadership by January 2025.
It further said that the Ime-Obi Ohanaeze will soon be convoked to set up an electoral committee that would organise the election.
“The NEC reaffirmed their commitment to the provisions of the Ohanaeze constitution, to the effect that it is the turn of Rivers State to produce the next president-general for Ohanaeze Ndigbo come January 2025.
“It was, therefore, resolved that Ambassador Emuchay, in consultation with the South East Governors, Igbo senators, traditional rulers, town unions, the clergy, stakeholders, and the Ohanaeze structures, should convene a meeting of Imeobi Ohanaeze as soon as possible to set up an electoral umpire for the purpose of the 2025 Ohanaeze election,” the communiqué stated.
In addition, the NEC passed a confidence vote on the Secretary-General, Amb. Okey Emuchay, and also applauded the Sen. Ben Obi-led National Burial Committee of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, for the successful programme.
NEC also expressed delight over the cooperation and kind gestures displayed by the South East Governors Forum, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.
Emuchay thanked the Igbo for their unwavering support and appealed for understanding, assuring that the January 2025 election will be a huge success.