Ohanaeze Presidency: ‘I will challenge insecurity in Igboland holistically if elected’ –Okiro

BY EMMANUEL CHUKWUMA, ENUGU. 

Countdown to the election of  President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, slated for Friday by the General Assembly, former Inspector General of Police and a top contender, Mike Okiro, has stressed he will bring his vast experience to bear in combating insecurity in Igboland. 

The former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, however, highlighted that though five contenders are vying for the seat, his leadership qualities, exposure, orientation on inclusivity, and robust plans to address Ndigbo’s peculiar challenges distinguish him from others.

He made this known while addressing newsmen in Enugu.

Okiro expressed commitment to promote the culture, economy, security, and other aspirations of the region in line with what the citizenry has gone through in respect of insecurity. 

He said, “As a retired IGP and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, I will harness my contacts and collaborate with people and government throughout Nigeria to give quality leadership to Ohanaeze. I will utilize the same to address the security and socio-cultural needs of Ndigbo around the world.

“You will recall that as IGP, I played a prominent role in the establishment of the Amnesty program that restored peace in the Niger Delta during the tenure of President Umaru Yar’Adua. That enabled companies to go about their businesses and propelled a major leap in oil production and the resources available to state and federal governments.

“I will collaborate with all stakeholders to bring stability to the South-East. I have the necessary education, skillset, strategies, and experience to mitigate the security challenges we are having in the South-East today. Go back to my history and antecedents; I have done very well in this regard.”

Speaking in respect of his state of origin, Okiro explained, “I can tell you without mincing words that I am from Rivers State. People should differentiate between Ohaji-Egbema in Imo State and Ogba/Egbema/Udoni in Rivers State. I want to submit categorically that I am from Rivers State. You can check my records.

He continued, “Even while I was in school up to the university level, the records are there. Some of my schoolmates can attest to this. At the University of Ibadan, now in Oyo State, one of my mates is Andrew Uchendu, who later became a Senator of the Federal Republic.

“We met at the University of Ibadan in 1974, where we both served as executive members of the National Union of Rivers’ State Students. I was the treasurer while Andrew was the General Secretary. Late F.J Kuruye was the chairman.”

According to him, his chances are very bright because he has the endorsement of the Rivers Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The former IGP revealed that the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State, Chief Lucky Ekeji, and the Women leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs. Love Chimezie Meregini, have spoken generously about his eligibility as a true son of Rivers State and a proud indigene of the Egbema community.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has assured that the January 10 election into the National Executive Committee, NEC, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shall be peaceful and devoid of any security breach.

The MASSOB henchman, Uchenna Madu gave the assurance in a statement, highlighting, “In our dedicated and unflinching loyalty to Ndigbo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership, MASSOB has put up all the necessary mechanism to ensure that the election processes are transparent and seamless.

His words, “As it is the turn of the Igbo-speaking people of Rivers State, every eligible elder statesman, respected and non-partisan person of Igbo extraction from Rivers State is qualified to contest for the office of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“No contestant is exempted, removed, or disqualified by the outsiders, external pressures, or sponsored agents of blackmailers; it’s only the Ohanaeze Ndigbo screening committee that will do such. Former IGP, Mike Okiro is an indigenous citizen of Rivers State, a true son of Rivers State. All his career as a public servant is from the quota of Rivers State.

“As a contestant, he is eminently qualified to contest for the office of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, unless the screening committee disqualifies him. MASSOB warns sponsored troublemakers to stay off the venue of election or face the consequences.”