14th January 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, News, Culture,
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

The outcome of the General Elections into the executive offices of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo World Wide, which was held last Friday in Enugu, has continued to generate excitement across the entirety of Igbo land and beyond.

The widespread feelings of excitement did not just stem from the peaceful and rancor-free transition, but most importantly, the orderly transmission of power to Rivers State in line with the rotational principle as enshrined in the Constitution of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

Some critics and doomsayers had predicted that the entire exercise may end in a deadlock or some form of confusion, especially against the background of competing political interests seeking to capture the presidency of Ohaneze for their narrow political agenda. The fear of a possible balkanization was further heightened by the surfeit of candidates that emerged from the Rivers Igbo to seek the coveted seat.

To the glory of God, the election was not only successful but peaceful and rancor-free. All the seven Ohaneze States of Abia, Anambra, Anioma (Delta), Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers were represented at the highest levels with four Governors physically present. They include Otti (Abia), Soludo (Anambra), Mbah (Enugu) and Uzodimma (Imo).

At the end of the exercise, Senator John Azuta Mbata from Obio Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State was elected by consensus in an atmosphere characterized by conviviality, concord and amity, belying the evil expectations of transactional agents in Igbo politics and their sponsors.

The unanimous emergence of Mbata from the Ikwerre ethnic stock has finally put paid to all the ill-informed arguments about the true identity of the Ikwerre, Etche, Ogba, Ekpeye. Ndoni, Egbema, Opobo. Bonny and other Igbo-speaking people in Rivers State. This portends a promising development for the greater unity of Ndigbo in Nigeria.

For a very long time, many Igbo groups outside the South East geo-political zone have been living in denial as regards their true identity. The reasons which have their origins in the aftermath of the unfortunate civil war are not far-fetched.

Those who perceive a united and cohesive Igbo as a threat to their political and economic interests have continued to promote and sustain the falsehood amongst the aggrieved groups with a view to undermining intra-group solidarity amongst Ndigbo and limiting their social, political and economic growth in the country. It is against this background that the significance of Mbatas emergence can be viewed and appreciated. With Mbata on the saddle, the scenario is set to change. As a respectable and respected Ikwerre son, he is expected to rally support amongst his Ikwerre brethren to ensure a successful tenure in office. He is also expected to bring on board all the aggrieved Igbo-speaking groups in Rivers and seeking a lasting solution to the lingering misunderstanding and misgivings with the mainland Igbo. It is an arduous task. But with Mbatas towering pedigree, he is expected to navigate safely through the murky waters, following in the footsteps of known Ikwerre leaders like Chief Emmanauel Aguma, Senator Obi Wali and HRH Eze C.C. Nwuche who were among the founding fathers of Ohaneze. He will, however, have to leverage on the support of his Deputy, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, a visionary technocrat who enjoys popular support within the South East and South South. With both of them at the helms, Ohaneze Ndigbo is poised to forge enduring unity among the various Igbo groups in Nigeria and breaking new grounds.

Mbata, no doubt has what it takes to make the desired difference. I can testify to that. I knew Mbata in the National Assembly at the onset of this political dispensation in 1999 when I served as Media Adviser to the then Senate President, Chief Evan Enwerem. He was at that time the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations. He carried himself so well and enjoyed bi-partisan support in the Red Chamber, and indeed, in the whole National Assembly.

With the pledged support of the South East Governors` Forum and backing of his State Governor, Sim Fubara, the Ohaneze Ndigbo under Mbata is expected to usher in a new era of peace, unity and development in Igbo land. There is no doubt that he would face obstacles and attacks from some elements in the region who are unsettled by the Igbo unification project, but he has got all it takes to overcome the challenges. We wish him well.

Dr. Emeka Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, is a Fellow of the International Institute of Leadership and Governance (FIILG).

~ NewsOrient

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