Politics
SENATOR Orji Uzor Kalu, chief whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia state, is supporting Prof George Obiozor, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States of America, USA, to succeed Chief John Nnia Nwodo as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Kalu, who represents Abia North Senatorial district, also called on Imeobi Ohanaeze, the organization’s highest decision-making organ, to adopt Obiozor as a consensus candidate.
He made this known in a statement signed by Emeka Nwala of office of the Senate Chief Whip on Monday, December 7, adding that Kalu made very wide consultations with Senator Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment, his counterpart at the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state and Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi state before arriving at the decision.
He also disclosed that his call has the backing of other very prominent leaders of the southeast including Governors Willie Obiano, Hope Uzodimma of Anambra and Imo states, respectively, including his colleague at the Senate and Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy Senate president.
Senator Kalu also disclosed that Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, former secretary to government of the federation; Nkeiru Onyejeocha, deputy chief whip of the House of Representatives, among other Igbo leaders in the National Assembly are in sync with his position in support of the candidacy of Prof. Obiozor.
He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo needed a non-partisan technocrat to steer its leadership stating that Obiozor possesses all the qualities needed to revive the group.
“Ohanaeze is the authentic voice of the Igbos, which exists for the sole purpose of speaking for and representing the interest of Ndigbo since its inception in 1976. It is expected to be non-partisan. We need leadership that can rightly define and defend the interests of the Ndigbo.
“I have known Professor George Obiozor for quite a long time ago and I am confident he will competently lead an active, mature, hardworking and viable Ohanaeze Ndigbo”, Kalu said.
Kalu also urged all delegates from Abia state to vote for Obiozor for the good of Ohanaeze and growth of the Igbo nation.
Obiozor, a diplomat and academic, was Nigeria’s Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America, Israel and Cyprus at different times. He was earlier at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) where he was the director-general.
He was also a coordinator for Southeast delegates to the 2014 National Conference as well as appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan as a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the conference.
Prior to that, Prof. Obiozor, who is known to be a bridge-builder, was an adviser to President Ibrahim Babangida on International Affairs as well as adviser to General Ike Nwachukwu while he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
He was also a member of the Vision 2010 Political Conference set up by Head of state, General Sani Abacha as well as a member of the 1994 political conference held in Lagos.
An author and co-author of 16 books, Prof. Obiozor was Special Assistant on Research to Dr. Chuba Okadigbo while he served as Political Adviser to President Shehu Shagari.
Commenting on his interest in leading Ndigbo into a new era, Prof. Obiozor promised to “assemble Igbo talents and experts to cater and defend the destiny of Ndigbo with appreciable success and diplomatic dexterity, decency and decorum. And Ndigbo will never be victims again, of Nigerian tragic circumstances which they did not create nor can they control.”
– Dec. 7, 2020 @ 12:31 |GMT |
Tags: Kalu supports Obiozor for Ohanaeze President
