Anthony Iwuoma
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the top socio-cultural group for the seven Igbo-speaking states of Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Delta, and Rivers, has begun the process of electing a new national president amidst a crisis.
The group had been embroiled in crisis over alleged surreptitious endorsement of a certain candidate for the office, which has resulted in a parallel election committee.
However, the Chief Enwo Igariwey election committee set up by the Ime-Obi under the headship of the out-going President-General, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has announced that the local government and state polls would hold as planned ahead of the national polls slated for January 9 and 10.
The Ohanaeze Secretary-General, Uche Okwukwu, had also set up a parallel election committee, led by Prince Richard Ozobu, which fixed the local council elections for January 8 and 9, to be followed by state polls and thereafter the national.
Aspirants for the president-general position are Chief Goddy Uwazuruike, Chief Chris Asoluka, Professor George Obiozor, Professor Chidi Osuagwu, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Ukachukwu Awuzie, and Nnaemeka Obiaraeri.
Most of the aspirants rejected the choice of Professor Obiozor as a consensus candidate, following his adoption by some Imo stakeholders led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and decided to fight till the end.
