Ohanaeze Presidency: I’ll use my experience, contacts to address insecurity in Igboland, if… — Okiro

…As MASSOB assures of security, peace during election

AHEAD of the election of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Friday by the General Assembly, former Inspector General of Police, and a major contender for the office, Mike Okiro, has said he is eminently qualified for the position.

Okiro, a former Chairman of Police Service Commission, said though there are five contenders for the position, his leadership qualities, orientation on inclusivity and robust plans to address Ndigbo’s peculiar needs stand him out.

He expressed readiness to promote the culture, economy, security and other aspirations of the region in view of what the people have gone through respecting insecurity in recent years.

His words: “As a retired IGP and former Chairman of Police Service Commission, I will harness my contacts; 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 major role in the establishment of the Amnesty programme that restored peace in 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, skill, strategies, 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.”

On the issues concerning his state of origin, Okiro said: “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 say clearly that I am from Rivers State. You can check my records.

“Even while I was in school up to 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.”

He said his chances are very high because he has the endorsement of the Rivers Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, because the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State, Chief Lucky Ekeji and the Women leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs Love Chimezie Meregini, have spoken generously about eligibility, as a true son of Rivers State and a proud indigene of the Egbema community.

MASSOB assures of security

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.

MASSOB Leader, Uchenna Madu gave the assurance in statement, saying: “In our dedicated and unflinching loyalty to Ndigbo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership, MASSOB has put up all the necessary arrangements to make sure that the election processes are smooth.

“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 qualifed 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 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.”