By Charles Ayodele
The President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Ekiti State, High Chief Alex Ndubuisi, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and equally be magnanimous in his political appointments.
The President-General made the appeal while speaking with journalists during the inauguration of the new Executive Members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ekiti State Chapter, held in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
He remarked that the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu by the powers-that-be calls for concern and has some political undertone. Hence, the coming on board of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a new era that should look into this and address fundamental issues that can engender his unconditional release.
The Ekiti Ohanaeze helmsman, however condemned the Monday sit-at-home in the Southeast which he said is really affecting the economy of the region negatively.
On appointments, he remarked, “now that Tinubu is the President, he is the father of all. He shouldn’t exempt the Southeast in further appointments side that of the Chief Of Naval Staff that the zone has benefitted so far.
Apart from this, I haven’t seen any southeast region person there. That shows there’s discrimination and if such discrimination should continue, it won’t speak well of the present administration and the President himself”.
On a united Nigeria, he said the President should call all tribes together without any dissemination. Adding that Nigeria is a geographical expression, not a nation. “We are only brought together by force”.
Following re-election of the new Executive at the election held on Saturday, 3rd December, 2022 in the State, which according to the President-General was peacefully conducted and that everyone behaved maturely throughout the proceedings, the event formally marked the end of the tenure of the previous Executive of the organisation.
High Chief Ndubuisi who took the oaths of office and allegiance alongside other members of the executive following an election held on Saturday, 3 December,2023 which returned him for a second tenure, appealed to those who couldn’t come on board after the election to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship, while those who won should be magnanimous in victory.
He stressed that such disposition would engender the needed unity to pilot the affairs of Ohanaeze in Ekiti. “Everybody is on board as far as running the affairs of Ohanaeze in the State is concerned. This is in our quest to attain the objectives of this noble socio-cultural organisation which has its tentacles globally”.
“It’s God’s doing to ascend the throne for the second time. A return that will be an impetus to continue to ensure the promotion of the unity and progress of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the State”
In his testimony, the number one Igbo son in Ekiti State highlighted the two major milestones amongst others that were recorded during his first tenure which were the hosting of Igbo Day, held on Saturday, 19th March, 2022 and the purchase of five plots of land for the building of Ohanaeze Secretariat.
The President-General, therefore promised that in this second term in office, their accomplishments would surpass those of the first term praying God to avail them of all it would take to leave indelible marks on the sands of time.
The Igbo leader therefore advised his people to learn how to forgive one another, noting that there’s no way you can be in a group without offending one or two people who are not getting it right. “Out of every twelve, there would always be a Judas. But the best thing to do is to call such people to order, talk to them and forgive them, then life goes on. Said the High Chief.
On his part, the Patron of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the State, High Chief Onuchie Albert, also prayed that God will give the inaugurated executive the kind of wisdom He gave to Solomon to perform better.
Also, a Pharmacist, Chief Onuoha James who was filled with enthusiasm about how the inauguration went successfully, called for unity, cooperation and peace among his people especially with the host community to move ahead.
The occasion was well attended by the Igbos in the State including friends and well-wishers.