By Chinonso Alozie

Owerri- The President-General, PG, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, on Friday set up a committee to conduct an election to elect the new President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, just as he urged the committee to ensure a credible, peaceful election of his successor in January 2025.

The election committee and screening committee were set up in Owerri, by Ozichukwu.

According to Chukwu, whose tenure will end on January 10, 2025, was appointed to lead the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation following the death of former President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

It would be recalled that in line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imo Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Mr C J Ihemedu, presented Chukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the balance of four year tenure allotted to Imo, which was cut short by the deaths of Prof. George Obiozor in 2022 and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in 2024.

Chukwu, who called the committees’ members to eschew nepotism and insist on the rule of law also harped on the need to sustain the reputation of excellence for which the Igbo nation is known.

“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,” Chukwu said.

Responding, the newly inaugurated electoral committee Chairman, Chief Ejiofor Onyia, thanked the P-G for finding him and other committee members worthy of the assignment and promised to do his best to achieve the organization’s set goals.

Onyia appealed to Igbo leaders – the Imeobi, General Assembly and committee members to cooperate with the committees, feel free to contest, play by the rules and avoid cutting corners.

Our Correspondent reports that Okpani Nkama Jr was inaugurated as the electoral committee secretary with members including Amb. Eddy Onuoha ; Chief Damian Okeke Ogene ; Chief Dr Charles Odunukwe ; Chief Ken Okeugo ; Chief Patrick Emelike ; Hon Chief Damian Ozurumba; Hon Chief Linus Uche Udeh ; Sir (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); Gen Colins Ihekire (rtd) ; Iyom Josephine Anenih ; Chief PMC Okeke ; Lady Uche Obi ; Dr Ikenna Ogoke ; Chief Mrs Ngozi Orubele ; Hon Mrs Oyibo Nwaneri ; Chief Sam Obaj ; 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.

Chief Barr. Goddy Uwazurike Dame Rita Mbah Dr. Barr. Pat Onukwuli Engr. Chike Madueke Chief Kalu Onuma High ChiefJohn 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 Okewulucnu Chief Chinedu Ukatu Chief Emeka Mbagha M.r Chris Agiri M.r 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 Mr Ndubisi Jaja-Wachukwu ; Ogbuefi Chris Eluemuno ; Dr. Mrs Selina Ugwuoke-Adibuah ; Chief Dave Nwachukwu ; Chief Ray Nkemdirim ; Elder Ugwunze ; Evangelist Iwuchukwu Ezenwafor and Chief Austin Aniagoh