Ohanaeze Presidency: Eminent Imo indigenes who may run; Uwazuruike, Asoluka, Obiozor, others in the race
The race for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex pan–Igbo organization, is taking shape, contrary to speculations that Imo State, to which the coveted position is zoned is not serious about filling the vacancy when the time comes.
The tenure of the current President General body, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, will come to an end in January 2021 and a new leader is expected to emerge to continue to steer the ship of Ndigbo.
Some people have been speculating, especially on social media platforms, that people of stature from Imo State are not showing sufficient interest in occupying the position.
But contrary to this view, Global Patriot Newspapers has found that, indeed, several men of stature from the state are seriously warming up to contest the coveted position.
Among these personalities, according to our findings, are Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, Chief Chris Asoluka, Dr. Joe Nwaogu and Professors George Obiozor, Ukachukwu Anwuzie and Jude Njoku.
Chief Uwazuruike is a prominent Lagos-based legal practitioner, a President Emeritus of foremost Igbo Think Tank platform, Aka Ikenga and a member of the President Goodluck Jonathan convened National Conference of 2014. He is also a strong voice on issues that affect Ndigbo in the media and promoter of courses that advance the Igbo nation.
Chief Asoluka, also a past President of Aka Ikenga and Chairman, Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, was a legislator and one-time Commissioner in Imo State.
Dr. Nwaogu is immediate former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Professor Obiozor, a former diplomat, was Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America and a one-time Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA while Professors Anwuzie and Njoku have been Vice Chancellors of Universities. Anwuzie was also National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.
Whereas Chief Uwazuruike is the only one of these personalities from the Okigwe Zone of Imo State, Asoluka, Nworgu and Njoku are from Owerri Zone wgile Obiozor and Anwuzie are from Orlu Zone.
The Presidency of Ohanaeze is increasing becoming key as issues concerning the place of Ndigbo in Nigeria continue to agitate many. The incoming President would also, literally be leading Ndigbo into the 2023 general elections that the group is insisting should be their turn to produce the President of the country.
This would not be an easy task as the occupant of the office would, undoubtedly come under pressures from internal and external forces trying to have their way.
Calls for outright restructuring of the federation or amendment of the constitution are also assuming a feverish pitch, especially against the background of separatist tendencies in different zones of the country. The incoming President General will be expected to weather the coming storms and this will call for principles and courage.
Also the Nwodo presidency has started a process that should lead to a zonal economic platform for the development of Igboland. The body formed is peopled by top Igbo players in the economy and the incoming President will have the task of advancing this vision.
