The government of Cross River State in southern Nigeria has commended Ohaneze Ndigbo, an Igbo socio- cultural group, for conducting a peaceful election in the state.
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu gave the commendation in a message delivered by his Special Adviser on Non-indegene Affairs, Mr. Okey Maduekwe.
According to Otu, the process in which a longstanding businessman and traditional leader, Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu emerged as the new President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Cross River State chapter, was commendable.
Governor Otu stated that it was the most peaceful and rancour free exercise ever conducted and commended them for electing the right people to pilot the affairs of the group in Cross River State.
He further expressed appreciation to the group and the Igbo community in general for the support given to him during the 2023 election and his People First agenda, which focuses on implementing programmes and policies aimed at positive transformation of all residents.
The governor promised: “In line with our People First mantra, the government will continue to improve on infrastructure, security and generally provide a business friendly environment to attract and sustain local, regional, national and international investors like you.
“It is only a blind person that will say he has not seen that the Igbos are happy to here in Cross River State. As I have supported them, they have also been very supportive of this administration. We have a very large population of the Igbos with investment in various segments of our economy,” he further noted.
Continuing, the governor said, “I have gotten assurances that more people are coming to invest in Cross River because of the conducive environment and the way we have related with the Igbos as part of us.”
A New Dawn
During his acceptance speech, the President of the Cross River State chapter of Igbo socio-cultural group, Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, Egwuonwu announced that the group would be actively participating in national politics as part of efforts to ensure its people rip the dividends of good governance.
Egwuonwu, in his acceptance speech, reiterated the resolve of the group to participate nationally and intensify its support to the government of Cross River State, saying “this is indeed a new dawn in Ọhanaeze Ndigbo, Cross River State.
“We will no longer play armchair politics from the State to the national level. We will be fully and actively involved starting from the 2027 national elections,” he stressed.
On his victory as the new chapter president, Egwuonwu pledged to drive greater accomplishments for the group and to discharge his duty without fear or favour.
He said, “it is not going to be business as usual because I have the capacity and I am going to try to pilot the affair of Ọhanaeze Ndigbo in Cross River with all I have in me. Even before being elected, I worked with the government for the good of Nigerians and Igbo community.
“I am a team player and promise to embrace includsivity to ensure we achieve great success as we forge ahead. We are determined to make a difference with advancing Igbo people in every sphere at home and in the diaspora,” Egwuonwu assured.
Prior to the exercise, the Ezeigbo Cross River State, Sir Emmanuel Ezewenyi represented by Onowu Ndigbo, Livinus Ihezie had appealed for a peaceful, free and transparent contest, urging “it is my sincere prayer that we will conduct ourselves in an orderly manner for a hitch-free election.”
Since the Igbos are residents of the 18 local government areas in Cross River State, the association adopted the delegate system for the election, which was held in Ikom council area in the central senatorial district.
Confidence Okwuchi
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