2015: Igbos May Have To Wait – Ohanaeze

Former Governor of Rivers State, Chief Rufus Ada George (right) in a chat with former Minister of External Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi during the 80th birthday celebration of former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme at the Banquet Hall, Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Egberi .A. Sampson.

Contrary to the continous demand by some pressure groups and eminent politicians in Igbo land to produce the next Nigerian president come 2015, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has made it abundantly clear that the area would only contest the position if the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan is not running for a second term.

The body also said it has already commenced moves to respond to some critical demands made by the Northern Socio Cultural Organization, Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF) during the meeting of the two groups held in Enugu recently.

Fielding questions from newsmen in Enugu at the weekend, shortly after the National Executive Committee meeting (NEC) of the association, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Ralp Uwachue hinted that the organization had begun what he called wide consultations with a view to generating responses to the demands of ACF, adding that the responses would reflect the position of Ndigbo to encourage cooperation among various segments of the nation.

According to the president general, the stand of Ohaneze, on the presidency position has not changed, reiterating that the South East would only contest for the seat in 2015, if “vacancy occurs”.

Uwachue, however, insisted on rotational arrangement among the six geo-political zones in the country, arguing that after the South- South region which president Jonathan is currently representing, it would be the turn of the South East to preside over the affairs of the nation, “but if there is vacancy in 2015, Ndigbo would grab the opportunity and contest”, the former Diplomat stressed.

Meanwhile, Our Correspondent gathered that Ohaneze leadership has put in place a transition body that would midwife a new executive for the organization, following the expiration of the tenure of the incumbent president- General in November this year.

The committee, The Tide further gathered, has Mr. Chris Azolatu from Imo state as chairman, while Chief Richard Ozobu from Enugu state is to serve as secretary, just as all the Igbo speaking states are expected to have two members each in the committee.

It would be recalled that two apex socio cultural organizations held a joint meeting at the Universal Hotel, Enugu recently and came out with a communiqué that dwelt on national dialogue , peace, unity, as well as the present security challenges confronting the country.