. . Urges Obiano, Parties, to Ensure Next Governor Comes from South
By Abuchi Onwumelu
The Anambra State President of the Apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ichie Damian Okeke-Ogene, has urged the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, to ensure that the next governor of Anambra State comes from Anambra South Senatorial District, noting that the governor, as a product of the zoning formula, should work for its sustenance and continuation.
Okeke-Ogene who made the call while inaugurating the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Orumba South Local Government Chapter held at the council’s headquarters, Umunze, also called on various political parties in the state to respect the already established zoning principle for political offices by picking their candidates from the South Senatorial Zone.
Okeke-Ogene who is the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman of Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), said the umbrella body was committed to supporting public office holders to meet the aspirations of the people.
He reiterated that all Igbo sons and daughters were eligible members of Ohaneze Ndigbo by virtue of birth and nativity and called on Igbos to embrace the apex Igbo organization which, he said, championed the interest of the Igbo race.
He noted that Ndigbo were still at a crossroads in the Nigerian nation, regretting that the proliferation of groups with diverse interests had been a major challenge to realizing Igbo collective agenda.
He further called for logistics and financial support to the group to enable it to continue to advance the Igbo cause.
Receiving the group in his office, the Transition Committee Chairman of Orumba South Local Government, Barrister Raymond Onyegu, encouraged parents to inculcate Igbo virtues in their wards.
Chief Onyegu, who used the opportunity to formalize his membership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, joined in calling on Igbos to identify with the group as a united front in achieving Igbo collective agenda.
In his address, the Orumba Council Chapter Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Gilbert Olumba, who emphasized that the group was for collective Igbo interests, said the group needed office accommodation, operational vehicle and financial support to achieve its goals.
Also speaking, the deputy chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Orumba South Chapter, Chief Josephat Akabogu, thanked Ichie Okeke-Ogene and his entourage for coming, assuring that they would work assiduously in promoting and protecting the organization in the council area.
Inauguration and issuance of certificates to the council executive members of Ohaneze Ndigbo formed the highpoints of the event attended by the National Assistant Secretary, Ohaneze Women’s Wing, Mrs. Obiageli Mmaduechesi; State women’s leader, Lady Rose Ekwenibe; Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo Idemili South LGA and the former President General of Akwa-Ukwu, Chief Mike Anierobi.
Others were traditional rulers, Onyeama Ogbonnaya of Owelle-Ezukala; Bernard Emejuo of Eziagu, both in Orumba South Council area, as well as other council chapter chairmen.
