By NewsCritic Reporters
Former President of Aka Ikenga, the Think Tank of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief (Barr) Goddy Uwazurike has expressed his interest to run for the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the coming election.
Making his interest public yesterday October 30, 2020, Barrister Uwazurike said after a profound period of introspection, “I have decided to answer the call of well-meaning Ndibanyi to contest for the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide President-General”.
The election is billed to take place in January 2021 at Ohanaeze Secretariat, Enugu. Chief Uwazurike said he believes he has all it takes to lead this organisation which is the pride of every right-thinking Igbo person.
He said “I want to contribute to the betterment of Ndigbo worldwide. I have the qualification, passion and the focus to lead us to the next level. As the President of Aka Ikenga I led from the front on any issue concerning Ndibanyi. As a delegate to the Centenary Conference of Nigeria, 2014, I stood firm on Igbo issues.
“As a public affairs analyst, I have never shied away from Igbo issues nor have I stood on the fence while our people are vilified. I promise to maintain the current momentum towards Igbo glorification.
The Ohanaeze election is done by delegates whereby only members of the branches will elect and be delegates in the election. The position of the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is zoned to Imo State. The outgoing PG, Chief John Nwodo is from Enugu State and his tenure will expire in January 2021, NewsCritic online gathered. Barr Uwazurike is an indigene of Ehime-Mbano in Imo State.
According to Steve Nwabuko, one of the hopefuls for the Secretary General office of Ohanaeze, the declaration of interest by Chief Uwazurike is monumental and impressionable, adding that he deserves the support of all to bring it to success.
On his part Prof Fabia Osuji former minister, described it as epoch making declaration that relieves many of us from the task of having to persuade him to run.
Prof Osuji said he is personally convinced that Chief Uwazurike, more than anyone else that might dare to run is eminently qualified and fully prepared given his antecedents to head the pan Igbo organisation. I personally endorse him without any reservation, he adds.
Igbo elites are of the view that Uwazurike as PG of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will bring to bear his wealth of experience in social engineering and class sensitivity in dousing political tensions in Igbo land. This is in addition to his high network of contacts across Nigeria, which is an added advantage.
It is believed that Uwazurike emerging as PG will attract much respect and active participation of Igbo elites into politics by the reason of the quality engagements and discourse that will ensue.
Publisher of the NewsCritic online and Public Affairs Analyst, Mr Chika Nwabueze, described the declaration of Chief Uwazurike as the game-changer, stressing that his emergence as PG Ohanaeze Ndigbo will benefit the former eastern region in general.