Rivers State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has endorsed former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, for the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The group made the call yesterday, ahead of the organization’s upcoming election slated for January 10-11, 2025.
The endorsement followed the zoning of the leadership position to Rivers State after the tenure of Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, who was appointed to complete the term of late businessman and politician, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, from Imo State.
Speaking at the event held in Port Harcourt, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rivers State, Chief Dr Lucky Ekeji, declared Okiro’s eligibility, describing him as a true son of Rivers State and a proud indigene of the Egbema community.
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Okiro’s ethnic identity defended addressing questions about Okiro’s ethnic qualifications.
Lucky firmly stated: “Let’s set the record straight: Dr Mike Mbama Okiro is, in fact, a true son of Rivers State, hailing from Mgbede in Ogba/Egbema Local Government Area.
“The notion that he’s not from Rivers State is completely baseless. As a group, he has the full support and backing of his people to run for the position, and his qualifications speak for themselves.”
In a separate remark, women leader Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs. Love Chimezie Meregini, said, the women have unanimously agreed to support Okiro and prayed for wisdom upon the incoming president to know exactly the pains, challenges facing the Igbos in the country, as they are marginalized in the scheme of things and in governance.
She applauded Igbo people for their ability to see opportunities in small and medium scale businesses and turn them into industrial hub.
On his part, former IGP Okiro stated that, his vision is to mobilize Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide for greater future, ensures members of the ethnic nationality are saved globally including their investments among others.
He thanked the Rivers State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for endorsing him.
Okiro also gave clarity on his identity, stressing that he is a proud Igbo man from Mgbede in Ogba/Egbema LGA which is an Igbo community in Rivers State and urges supporters to discard rumours surrounding his origin.
