Senator Azuta-Mbata emerges new president-general of Ohanaeze 

• Tinubu Sends Congratulatory Message

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Friday, elected former Senator John Azuta-Mbata as its new president general. Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East at the National Assembly, was elected at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held at the Old Government Lodge, Enugu State.

He will succeed Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, who was appointed last month to complete the tenure of Imo State, formerly occupied by late Chief Emmanuel lwuanyanwu.

He was elected by consensus in the election witnessed by Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State; Hope Uzodimma of Imo State and Charles Soludo of Anambra State. Ebonyi State was represented by the deputy governor.

Prince Okey Nwadinobi from Abia was elected as the National Deputy President while Chief Emeka Sibeidu from Anambra State is the new Secretary General of the Igbo group. Sibeidu was deputy governor during the administration of Willie Obiano in Anambra State.

In his acceptance speech, Azuta-Mbata expressed gratitude to the delegates for their trust and support, promising to work towards uniting the Igbo people and addressing pressing issues. He stated that he would soon unveil his manifesto for Ndigbo in the next four years.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Azuta-Mbata on his election as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Tinubu also congratulated the group on the successful transition, enjoining the new leaders to uphold the principles of their predecessors.  

The president underscored the critical role of socio-cultural organisations in nation-building, stressing commitment to promoting dialogue among ethnic nationalities.

Tinubu in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday, wished the newly elected Ohanaeze Ndigbo president success as he takes on the onerous yet noble and lofty task.