President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday congratulated Chief John Nwodo on his election as the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
The President noted that Nwodo was eminently qualified for the job because of his long years of distinguished service to the nation.
He said the former Information Minister had also been Minister of Civil Aviation in the Second Republic under President Shehu Shagari and Minister of Information and Culture in the administration of General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
President Buhari said as Nwodo prepared to settle down with his team to implement his vision for Ohaneze Ndigbo, he urged the Ndigbo and other ethnic nationalities to support the new leadership to fulfil its mandate in these challenging times.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said President Buhari looked forward to working with the new leadership.
He assured Ohaneze Ndigbo that his administration would continue to be a partner-in-progress in implementing suggestions, measures and programmes to advance the unity, development and prosperity of Nigeria.
The President wished the Chief Nwodo-led Ohaneze Ndigbo a peaceful and prosperous tenure.
Also, the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) congratulated Nwodo and Uche Okwukwu who was elected the Secretary General.
In a statement by its leader, Uchenna Madu, the group urged the new leadership not to run the organisation as a private business.
The statement said: “…Nwodo and Okwukwu should know that piloting the affairs of Ndigbo on the platform of Ohaneze Ndigbo is strictly based on ‘Igboism’, which means Igbo political, economic, social, academic, religious interest first before Nigeria and personal interest.
“With the current political development in Nigeria and Igbo political target in 2019, the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership is no longer private businesses, as usual.”
Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha yesterday urged the new leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to strengthen Igbo unity with its instrument of office.
The governor, who hailed Nwodo’s victory, noted that the apex body had the responsibility to ensure that Ndigbo got their due in “corporate Nigeria”.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor assured the new leadership of the cooperation of Southeast governors.
The statement reads: “The unity of Ndigbo, including their leaders, should be strengthened now, more than ever before, to ensure that Ndigbo get their due in a corporate Nigeria.”
Okorocha congratulated Nwodo on his election victory as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The governor said delegates to the election and Ndigbo made a wise choice.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday hailed the election of Nwodo as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He said: “I congratulate Chief Nnia Nwodo and his team on their victory. I have confidence in their ability to further reposition the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation and relaunch Ndigbo to a higher reckoning in the country, while also working with other parts of the nation for the overall development of Nigeria.
“I expect them to work with the Igbo civil society, the Diaspora community, town unions, governments, political elites, and other parts of the country to bring out the best of the famed Igbo resourcefulness, intellect, and collectivism for the social, economic, and political transformation of Igbo Land and Nigeria.”
Also, a group ofý Igbo leaders, under the aegis of Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee, has filed a suit against the election which produced the Dr Nnia Nwodo-led new national executive.
Nwodo and his team are to hold office for four years.
But Ohanaeze Caretaker Committee, led by Chief Ralph Obioha, said the election, which was organised by the Chief Enwo Gary Igariwey-led executive on Tuesday, was a nullity.
The committee argued that the Igariwey-led executive lacked the constitutional powers to convoke an election since its tenure elapsed over a year ago.
It said the “purported’ election was illegal.
In an earlier suit filed at the Enugu High Court on December 21 against the Igariwey-led executive, the committee asked the court to stop the conduct of any election into the body.
The court granted the group’s request on December ý22 with the leave of service by substituted means.
The group averred that members of the Igariwey-led executive were card-carrying members of political parties, contrary to the constitution of Ohanaeze.
It added that they should not be allowed to conduct the election.
When the matter came up yesterday for hearing, lawyer to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief James Ikeyi (SAN), asked for adjournment to enable him prepare his defence.
Ikeyi said the 42 days window expected to file their reactions had not lapsed.
Justice A. O. Onovo adjourned the matter till March 1 for hearing.