By Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The South East Caucus in the Senate has congratulated Senator Azuta Mbata on his emergence as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Azuta Mbata of Rivers State became the 13th President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo after he was declared as the consensus winner by the chairman of the Ohanaeze electoral committee, Chief Ejiofor Onyia, after the general assembly of the Ohanaeze General Assembly meeting had dissolved the old executive committee led by Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, in Enugu on Friday.
In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the leader of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said his election marks a milestone in the history of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
He declared that the caucus has firm confidence in Senator Mbata’s pedigree and leadership qualities, which he said are solid enough to steer Ohanaeze to achieve the much-desired unity and development in Igboland and command the ability to also reach out to similar associations outside Igboland to enhance good relationships for the unity of Nigeria.
Sen. Abaribe said: “We as a caucus have the confidence that Ohanaeze as constituted under the leadership of Sen Mbata would weave the entire Igbo race cohesively together in unity, peace and make Ohanaeze a veritable rallying point for Ndigbo wherever they may be.
“Such trajectory we believe would no doubt encourage, instil confidence and reinvigorate the ability of our people to pursue their individual and collective goal to achieve sustainable development for the overall benefit of Igboland and Nigeria.
“The caucus also lauds the delegates at the general assembly and the political leadership, particularly the state governors, for their unwavering commitment to support the New Ohanaeze leadership to succeed.”
The caucus congratulated the outgoing President-General, Nze Ozichukwu, for leading Ohanaeze to hand over the reins of leadership to Senator Mbata in a peaceful election.
It enjoined Ndigbo to give full support to the new President-General and his executive to enable them to carry out his mandate to restore the dignity and prosperity of Alaigbo.