By LAWANI MIKAIRU

Ahead of election of new officers of World Igbo Congress, WIC, at its annual worldwide convention in Toronto, Canada, scheduled for first week of  September,   jostle for leadership of the umbrella organisation of Ndigbo in Diaspora has begun with the current House of Delegates Chairman, Chief Larry  Udorji, leading in early poll conducted by  Board of Governors of the World Igbo Forum.

Among candidates campaigning to replace Ichie Chibuzo Onwuchekwa are WIC Secretary General, Mr.  Charlie Chikezie, Dr. Ugorji Ugorgi, a publisher and Udorji.

According to the poll initiated by  Chief Jimmy  Asiegbu, Director of Nigeria Policy Institute, USA , and founder of Anambra Association in the United States of America,ASA-USA, Udorji  was found to be leading the polls as the most favourable choice of Ndigbo worldwide.

The poll was conducted among Ndigbo in USA, Canada, Europe, Nigeria and other countries.

A total of 8,481 was polled with a response of 7,255. The candidates were evaluated on factors ranging from ability to unite and bring peace to WIC, leadership experience, acceptability, good vision for Ndigbo, commitment to Igbo issues, corruptibility and interpersonal relations to honesty, character and accountability.

In all the categories, Chief Larry Udorji received the highest scores.

According to the poll statistics released by the Board of Governors,  Chief Larry Udorji received 60 percent endorsement, followed by Barrister Charles Chikezie with 30 percent while  Dr. Ugorji Ugorji scored 10 percent.

Meanwhile, in  telephone call with  Chief Jimmy Asiegbu on the purpose of the poll, he stated that each one of great sons of Ndigbo is well qualified to lead WIC at a period of normalcy. “As of today, we are in a period of Abnormality and Disunity’ he said.

In consideration of the divisive status of WIC at this time, and the future facing Ndigbo in Diaspora and home, the prevailing opportunity to make peace, he said that  there was  urgent necessity to elect someone who will be able to timely take the necessary steps needed to unite  WIC family; one who will not prolong the crisis for another possible 6 years.

Hence the major factor in the poll was the candidates ability to unite Ndigbo in Diaspora under one indivisible World Igbo Congress”.

Although the election will be hotly contested among the candidate, the result of the poll may have shown  that  Udorji is the toast of Igbo extraction for the new leadership of WIC.

At the annual convention of WIC,  many dignitaries of Igbo extraction will be attending from all over the world including Southeast governors, legislators, ministers, community leaders, among others.