- Tinubu, Atiku, Fubara, Ihedioha, others hail new leader
A former Senator representing Rivers East at the National Assembly, Chief John Azuta Mbata, has emerged as the new President-General of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Mbata was elected at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu yesterday.
He takes over from Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the tenure of the late Chief Emmanuel lwuanyanwu from Imo State.
He was elected by consensus in the election that was witnessed by the governors of Enugu, Imo and Anambra states, as well as Senators Chris Ngige, Ben Obi, Victor Umeh and other Igbo dignitaries.
Prince Okey Nwadinobi from Abia State was elected the National Deputy President while Chief Emeka Sibeidu from Anambra State is the new Secretary General of the Igbo group.
Chidera Anieke from Enugu State was elected National Treasurer, Ezechukwu Ezechi from Imo State was elected National Publicity Secretary while Okey Ugwu from Ebonyi State was elected National Legal Adviser.
The position of the Deputy Secretary General goes to Delta State and others.
Speaking on behalf of the new executive, Mbata thanked the outgoing President-General for his leadership style and his ability to hand over and organise elections for the new executive.
While pledging to lead by example, Mbata called on the governors in the states that made up Ohanaeze Worldwide for support and collaboration to move the organisation forward.
In a gesture underscoring his commitment to fostering unity and dialogue among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday congratulated Senator Azuta-Mbata on his election as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded the smooth leadership transition within Ohanaeze Ndigbo and commended the group’s commitment to continuity.
He urged the newly elected leadership to uphold the values and principles of their predecessors in the pursuit of national unity and progress.
“The President recognises the critical role of socio-cultural organisations in nation-building; hence, his commitment to promoting dialogue among our ethnic nationalities,” the statement read.
President Tinubu further extended his best wishes to Senator Azuta-Mbata as he embarked on what the President described as “an onerous, yet noble and lofty task.”
Also former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, hailed Senator Mbata on his election.
Atiku, the Waziri of Adamawa, also felicitated with other members of the new executive expected to pilot the affairs of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
The former Vice President further commended the peaceful and credible conduct of the election held in Enugu State on Friday.
He acknowledges the exemplary leadership of the South East Governors’ Forum in ensuring a free and fair election coupled with a smooth transition, adding that there are lessons to be learnt from the alliance forged by participants despite their political diversity.
He reechoes the words of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that Mbata’s victory “marks a significant moment for the organisation” and signals “a new era of progress, unity, and development.”
He notes that the Mbata-led executive are no strangers to the divisions that has plagued our nation, and charges them to not only work assiduously at uniting Ndigbo around shared values, but also work in tandem with other similar socio-cultural organisations in enthroning a new regime of unity.
He underscores the imperative of the promotion of tolerance and inter-communal relations to engender peace, a requisite for stability and development.
Atiku says the promotion of unity and peace is inevitable in the fostering of a united front to combat the sorry state of our socio-economic conditions and improve the well-being of Nigerians.
According to Atiku, Mbata’s experience as a lawmaker and administrator, together with the collective exposures of the new executive, put them in good stead to deliver on their mandate.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, hailed the emergence of a former lawmaker representing Rivers East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Mbata.
Fubara said that the frontline politician’s victory at the poll in Enugu, on Friday, was a testament to his wide acceptance across the aisle as an accomplished Nigerian, whose test of character and integrity was exemplary.
He said that the overwhelming votes of the delegates showed the implicit confidence of members of the socio-cultural organisation in his ability to provide needed leadership to move the Ohanaeze Ndigbo forward at this time.
Fubara extended his best wishes to Senator Mbata, and expressed the hope that he would succeed as he discharged the lofty duties of furthering national cohesion, and fostering friendly cooperation based on mutual trust and respect within the Igbos and among non-Igbos.
He said: “On behalf of the government and the good people of Rivers State, I once again congratulate you and assure you of our readiness to work with you towards maintaining and preserving national unity and cohesion”.
Former Imo State Governor, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, expressed confidence in Mbata, who he described as an accomplished businessman, politician, and statesman who has served his state and Nigeria meritoriously.
“I have no doubt that with his wealth of experience, Senator Azuta-Mbata will position Ndigbo in the challenging politics of the nation,” Ihedioha said in his congratulatory message.
According to him, the new PG possesses the requisite credentials to steer the cause of Ndi Igbo and rightfully position the Igbo race in the challenging politics of our today’s Nigeria.
Ihedioha assured Azuta-Mbata of his support, stating that he will be ready to give the new President General the necessary backing to succeed for the good of Ndigbo.
Azuta-Mbata’s election as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has been widely welcomed, with President Bola Tinubu also congratulating him on his new role.
Also the South East Senate Caucus has congratulated Senator Azuta Mbata on his emergence as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The leader of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe in a statement in Abuja, on Saturday, said Senator Mbata’s victory at the election during the Ohaneze General Assembly in Enugu, marks a milestone in the history of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
The caucus, he said, has firm confidence in Senator Mbata’s pedigree and leadership qualities that are solid enough to steer Ohaneze 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 relationship for the unity of Nigeria.
“We as a caucus have the confidence that Ohaneze as constituted under the leadership of Sen Mbata would weave the entire Igbo race cohesively together in unity, peace and make Ohaneze a veritable rallying point for Ndigbo wherever they may be.
“Such trajectory we believe would no doubt encourage, instill 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 Ohaneze leadership to succeed,” Abaribe said.
The caucus congratulated the outgoing PG Nze Ozichukwu for leading Ohaneze to hand over the reins of leadership to Senator Mbata in a peaceful election.
The caucus enjoined Ndigbo to give Senator Mbata and his executive full support in carrying out his mandate to restore the dignity and prosperity of Alaigbo.
