Ohanaeze Ndigbo election: Convener, Abia Professionals, Sonny Iroche, calls for report; Warns of possible crisis

Convener/National Coordinator of Abia Professionals, Sonny Iroche, has called on members of the group who had indicated interest in running for the office of Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide in the elections held on Sunday, January 10, 2021 to issue a joint statement/report on the overall conduct of the exercise.

This, he said in a statement made available to GPNews, is “because some of the information emanating from different commentators are quite disturbing and may not augur well for the Pan Igbo umbrella organization, which if not properly managed could lead to splinter groups.”

Professor George Obiozor was declared President General of the apex socio-cultural organisation in the election held at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, Imo State, while Mr. Okey Egbuche was named Secretary General by the  Electoral Committee chaired by a former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor Gary Igariwe,

The Secretary General position is zoned to Abia State.

Full text of Sonny Iroche’s statement reads:

Dear Members,

We have read several reports of the conduct of the elections of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which took place yesterday, Sunday January 10 at the Dan Anyiam stadium, Owerri.
Prior to the elections, we read reports and statements credited to some of the aspirants for different offices. Some withdrew from the race citing perceived irregularities on the preparedness for the conduct of the elections. While others called for the postponement of the elections to give adequate time for a hitch free electoral process.

It would however, be desirable, if the members of Abia Professionals who had indicated interest in running for the office of Secretary General to issue a joint statement/report on the overall conduct of the elections.

Because some of the information emanating from different commentators are quite disturbing and may not augur well for the Pan Igbo umbrella organization, which if not properly managed could lead to splinter groups. Considering the existence of a faction of Ohanaeze, different from the Nnia Nwodo led main body, which is duly registered with the CAC, the affairs of the body may be in disarray.

Let us for now wait until we get a clearer picture and possible final reports before we draw our conclusion.

With the unclear situation, uncertainty and quagmire surrounding the Ohanaeze Ndigbo elections, one wonders how we shall organize and prepare Ndigbo and the rest of the country in the quest come 2023 for a Nigerian President of South East extraction. For as the saying goes, ‘a house divided amongst itself, cannot stand’

I guess, God willing, only time will tell.

Sonny IROCHE
Convener/National Coordinator
January 11, 2021