Sequel to the controversies that greeted the recent nomination of our Elder Statesman Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the preferred choice of Ndi Imo to take over and complete the tenure of Prof George Obiozor as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, I am compelled to request aggrieved parties to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.
This plea has become necessary in view of the fact that Prof Obiozor was indeed a man of peace who epitomized diplomacy at the highest levels of regional, national and international socio-political engagements, and subsequently does not deserve the verbal barrage that currently surrounds the well intended bid to select a worthy replacement from his home state to complete his tenure.
Having had the rare privilege of working closely with our deceased leader on many platforms as a mentee, I can attest to his selfless statesmanship, patriotic zeal and unwavering commitment to the ideals of national development.
Through such platforms as the 2014 National Conference, World Igbo Summit Group and National Political Summit, our late President General exemplified commendable love and passion for our region in particular and the Nigerian nation at large.These ideals he lived and died for.
It is therefore against the backdrop of the need to further the diplomatic negotiation for political inclusiveness within the Nigerian polity that I passionately implore all dissenting voices to please accept the recommendation of Imo Elders on the choice of Chief Iwuanyanwu to serve out the term of Prof Obiozor.
This request is based on the understanding that Chief Iwuanyanwu, who is currently Chairman of Ohanaeze Elders Forum, will subsequently deploy the office of President- General as a double barrel weapon in pursuing the task of repositioning our region for national integration and cohesion.
I sincerely believe that Chief Iwuanyanwu’s nomination is a win-win situation for all, since he will leverage the rich and vast cognate experience he has garnered over the years in corporate business and from the field of national politics in fortifying and strengthening Ohanaeze Ndigbo for optimum performance, thereby guaranteeing quicker achievement of set targets.
Therefore, as the Nigerian nation initiates a new phase in our political trajectory, let us as counseled by our elders, “consider everything that bites at night as mosquito” and subsequently accept the recommendation of Chief Iwuanyanwu as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for over all good of the region.
Prof Gregory Ibe,PhD, OFR (Enyi Abia)
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