The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide Oyo state chapter, has elected new executive officers in a historic election, marking the end of three decade factional existence of the state’s chapter of the body.
Thousands of voters on Saturday, thronged the Lekan Salami sports complex, Adamasingba to participate in the keenly contested elections with euphoric cheers to the transparent and democratic process leading up to the symbolic election of the new executive body to be led by Mr Okechukwu Umeh, who defeated his challenger, Barr. Damian Ajare in a neck to neck contest. In an open secret ballot election, the president elect, Mr Okechukwu Umeh polled 570 votes while his opponent, Barr. Ajare polled 433 votes.
The results of other positions contested saw the emergence of Evangelist Ijeoma Uchendu as the women leader with a total of 313 votes while the runner up, Loolo Ezinne Mary-John, scored 257 votes. Other aspirants in this category, Mrs Ekwueme Pauline-Anne, scored 356 votes while Loolo Nkechinyere Iyiakaimo trailed in the contest with 147 votes.
In other categories, Barr. Chima Ona polled 640 votes to defeat his challenger for the position of youth leader, Mr Utobo Chinedu, who scored 329 votes. For the position of treasurer, Mr Peter Orji polled 509 votes to emerge as the winner,, while his rival, Mr Jude Enwerendu scored 471 votes. For the position of the Public Relations Officer, Mr Charles Obasi scored 551 votes to emerge victorious while his opponent, Mr. Paul Ibe scored 410 votes.
While congratulating the winners in the keenly contested election, the Chairman of the Electoral committee and the Senior Special Assistant to Oyo state Governor on Community Relations (Igbo Community) Hon. Tallest Innocent urged them to extend hands of fellowship to their opponents in service to the Igbo community in Oyo state. He described the election as a historic event, marking the positive turn in the fortunes of the Igbo community in Oyo state. “This is a watershed moment for the Igbo community in Oyo state. For the past three decades, the Igbo community in Oyo state have been spilt into different factions. Upon my recent appointment and even before then, I spearheaded the reconciliation process to bring together all the various factions into one fold and today, that efforts have birthed a new Ohaneze Ndigbo in Oyo state. This talks was a daunting one but to the Glory of God, it has come to a positive end. This election is very unique in the sense that such event is unprecedented. We have never had any election of this kind with this kind of turnout in the history of the Igbo Community in Oyo state and it has been conducted seamlessly without rancor”
While responding to enquiries on why certain positions were not contested, the Governor’s aide said that some of the key positions were ceded to other zones in Oyo state to accommodate the Igbo community in those areas. He said “As you know, our people are very adventurous, they are scattered all over the length and breath of Oyo state and we need to give them a sense of belonging. At the committee level, we decided to reserve certain key positions to the Igbo community in other parts of the state such as Oyo, Ogbomosho, Saki, Eruwa, Okeho, iseyin, and Kishi. This is to properly network our people and ensure that their interest is always protected at all times. This body is not just restricted to the capital city of Ibadan, but spread across the length and breath of Oyo state”
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected president of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Oyo state chapter, Mr Okechukwu Umeh said his victory is a victory for every Igbo man in Oyo state, describing his emergence as a call to service. “It is not a victory for me, it is a victory for all, especially for the Igbos In Oyo state. I don’t see it as victory, I see it as a calling; as an assignment to go and serve my people because today is not a contest, it is an arrangement for us to align together and choose someone to send forth and protect our common interest. To serve is not an easy thing, Maundy might be contesting to lead, but I’m here to serve the people.” Mr Umeh while extending hands of fellowship to his opponent, further said his emergence was a new dawn calling for all hands to be on deck for the new administration to achieve great milestones.
Also speaking, the newly elected Women leader, Evangelist Ijeoma Uchendu said her administration will focus on the empowerment of women through the establishment of a women’s development center and a knowledge hub for the grooming of young girls to acquire skills and become a better version of themselves.
The elected officials will be subsequently presented with a certificate of return ahead of their inauguration by the President General of the apex socio-cultural body.
