President-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, has promised to ensure a peaceful, credible election of his successor in January.
He made the pledge while inaugurating the screening and electoral committees for the election in Owerri, Imo State.
Nze Chukwu, whose tenure will end on Jan. 10, 2025, was appointed to lead the organisation following the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The Imo State chapter of Ohanaeze led by Barr. C. J. Ihemedu, presented Chukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the balance of four years tenure allotted to the state, which was cut short by the deaths of Prof. George Obiozor in 2022 and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in 2024.
Nze Chukwu, who called on the committee members to eschew nepotism and insist on the rule of law, emphasised the need to sustain the reputation of excellence for which the Igbo nation is known.
He said, “ We’ll not take excuses as all your actions will be monitored. The future is in your hands, you’ll live with your conscience and you’ll be judged by history as you carry out this quintessential assignment”.
The electoral committee chairman, Chief Ejiofor Onyia, commended the P-G for finding him and other committee members worthy of the assignment and promised to do his best to achieve the organisation’s set goals and objectives.
Onyia appealed to Igbo leaders – the Imeobi, general assembly and committee members to cooperate with the committee, feel free to contest, play by the rules and avoid cutting corners.
Okpani Nkama Jr was inaugurated as the electoral committee secretary with other members including Amb. Eddy Onuoha ; Chief Damian Okeke Ogene ; Chief Dr Charles Odunukwe ; Chief Ken Okeugo ; Chief Patrick Emelike ; Hon Chief Damian Ozurumba; Chief Linus Uche Udeh, Barr. Idris Wabara and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa.
Others are Engr Nnamdi Nwadiogbu; Chief Goddy Ogbaga ; Dr Emmanuel Abah; Chief Celestine Nwali ; Prof Augustine Oke Okolie ; Prof Osita Ogbu ; Amb Godi Agbo; Sen. Ben Collins Ndu; Dr. Mrs Kema Chikwe ; Rt Hon Goodluck Nana Opia ; Barr Godfrey Ijeoma ; Mrs Miriam Ihuoma Nwosu; Mr Bitrus Uzoma Ossai ;Mrs. Chiazo Lizzy; Dr. Promise Okoro ; Col Arc Justin Ezeoke (Rtd) and Gen Colins Ihekire (rtd).
Also inaugurated are Iyom Josephine Anenih ; Chief PMC Okeke ; Lady Uche Obi ; Dr Ikenna Ogoke ; Chief Mrs Ngozi Orubele ; Hon Mrs Oyibo Nwaneri ; Chief Sam Obaji ; Prof Uka Ezenwe ; Rt Hon Emeka Nduka ; Amaka Enemchukwu ; Chief Uchenna Aniamalu; Dr Mrs Eucheria Ibeabuchi; Sen. Tony Agbo ; Chief Eboh Ihekwereme Okorie ; Chief Uzo Okpara ; Bishop Sunday Onuoha; Engr. Stanley Ukaga ; Prof. Onyi Nwagbara ; Chief Elvis Chukwu; Engr. Ikechukwu Ujah ; Sen. Sonny Ogbuoji ; Comrade Austin Ifedinezi; Dr Uche Uzochukwu; Amb. Empire Kalu and Chief Emeka Diwe.
Others are Chief Barr. Goddy Uwazurike; Dame Rita Mbah; Dr. Pat Onukwuli; Engr. Chike Madueke; Chief Kalu Onuma ; Chief John Chukwu; Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze ; Chief Amadiebube Mbama; Chief Chioke Uko; Chief Seth Agomuo ; Prof. Charles Nwekeaku ; Chief Omeife I ; Omeife Lady Aqueen Ibeto; Chief Chris Okewuluonu; Chief Chinedu Ukatu; Chief Emeka Mbagha; Mr Chris Agiri ; Mr Tagbo Okeke.
Other members are Dr Dave Chukwu; Dr Mark Abani; Hon Reginald Ezenta; Chief James Ikeyi, SAN ; Hon. Darlington Okereke ; Hon. Gideon Adikwuru ; Chief Everest Ozonweke ; Mr. Charles Ogbu ; Dr. David Chuks; Eze Chris Offia; Chief Ifeanyi Onwukamike ; Dr Nnanna Egwu; Maj. Gen. Edward Nze ; Chief Chinedu Anih and Sir Ambrose Obioha.
Also, Dr. Eme Okoro was inaugurated as Chairman of the screening committee with Prof. Fabian Onah as secretary.
Members of the screening committee include, Ndubisi Jaja-Wachukwu ; Ogbuefi Chris Eluemuno ; Dr. Mrs Selina Ugwuoke-Adibuah ; Chief Dave Nwachukwu ; Chief Ray Nkemdirim ; Elder Ugwunze ; and Evangelist Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor.