By Ovat Mike, Onitsha
The only surviving Minister of the First Republic, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, on Tuesday, charged the new national leadership of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, headed by Ambassador George Obiozor, to harmoniously work with Yoruba Social-Cultural Organization, Afenifere, the Northern Elders Forum and other ethnic organizations to sustain Nigeria’s oneness.
Mbazulike, 92, gave the charge when the apex group leadership paid him a visit at his country home, Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State to solicit for more support in order to achieve its four year plan for the Igbo.
On 2023, the elder statesman urged them to canvass for Igbo presidency, stressing that it is only Igbo man with all round experience that will savage the country of corruption and disunity.
He used the opportunity to advise Igbo politicians and other stakeholders of Igbo extraction to reach out to Nigerians in other zones to make the dream of producing the next President a reality.
He insisted that nothing was non-negotiable, including the unity of Nigeria, especially if the negotiation would bring about equity and also quell agitations by some sections of the country.
In his address, the National President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, promised to do his best within his capacity to serve and safeguard the interest of the Igbo nation and humanity.
He also said he had held positions of responsibilities like, Director General, Nigerian Institute of international Affairs (NIIA), secretariat coordinator 2014 national conference south east delegates, member presidential advisory committee, 2014 national conference.
Other positions include adviser to President Ibrahim Babangida on international affairs, Adviser to the minister of foreign affairs General Ike Nwachukwu and many other positions of international standard.
While informing the gathering that Ohanaeze Ndigbo under his leadership has no faction, he commended the effort of the South East Governors, especially, the Imo state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for their kind support for making him the national president of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide.
He also promised to continue from the good work of the former President, Chief John Nnia Nwodo.
In their separate speeches, the Vice President, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Demian Okeke-Ogene and the Anambra state President General, Prince Emeka Udodeme, assured Obiozor of their full support of his leadership, noted that the threat to the Igbo extraction requires a mature and experienced person with capacity to build enough consensus to define the interest of the Igbo at any given opportunity.