The Igbo Progressive Movement (IPM), a prominent group of Igbo patriots in the Southeast, has expressed its full support for the nomination of the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, as the next President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Following their general meeting in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday, the group made significant decisions aimed at promoting the growth and development of Ndigbo.
In a statement issued after their meeting and jointly signed by the President of IPM, Chief Chijioke Anyanwu; Secretary, Comrade Chukwudi David; and Publicity Secretary, Mr Clement Onwuatuegwu, the group revealed the outcome of an opinion poll conducted across the five Southeast states and other Igbo-speaking areas, including the Rivers and Delta States. Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who governed Imo State from 2007 to 2011, emerged as the winner.
The group emphasised their commitment to respecting the wishes of their people, declaring, “We stand by our nomination of Chief Ikedi Ohakim to hold brief as the next President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.” They further urged everyone to support him in advancing the interests of Ndigbo.
The Igbo Progressive Movement also expressed their condolences to the family, friends, community, state, and Ndigbo in general over the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the former President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. They acknowledged his immense contributions to the growth and development of Igboland and Nigeria as a whole.
The group lamented that his death is particularly poignant, as he departed when his contributions to the development of the Igbo cause were greatly needed. They noted, “While mourning his passing, Ndigbo should put their house in order so as not to be relegated to the background given the political climate we as a people find ourselves in.”
They added, “Based on the future of Ndigbo as a people, we deem it necessary and important for us as a people to protect the Igbo cause by nominating someone from Imo State, the home state of the former PG where the position is presently zoned, to hold brief pending when the next election will be conducted.”
The group concluded that nature abhors a vacuum, making it essential to nominate a capable, experienced, and knowledgeable personality to occupy the position temporarily from Imo State.
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