Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and senator-elect,Anambra Central, Victor Umeh, has urged Ndi Igbo to support the newly inaugurated President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, so that he could perform his duties smoothly.
He made the call on Sunday in an interview with newsmen in Enugu, shortly after the inuaguration of Iwuanyanwu.
Senator Umeh described the new President General as ” one of the Icons in the South East. On his endorsement he said, “His endorsement is not unexpected. It is a question of confidence in his person.Today’s meeting is special .The quality of Igbo leaders that attended will show you that Igbo people will expect so much from him.
“Iwuanyanwu had served our people He had been there even when people will shy away from speaking what the Igbo people will want from Nigeria He will say so and this point in time, we need one who has seen it all. One, who is associated with our history, before the war, through the war, after the war till date. So, he is one of the Icons we have had in this part of Nigeria.
“He had continued to show interest in the matter that concerns Igbo people. So his endorsement is not unexpected . ”
Supporting Iwuanyanwu ‘s endorsement, Senator Umeh said, “today is a great day for all people to come together to stand behind him. You know that going forward from here, you will be expecting a very sane and resolute leadership .He doesn’t expect anything from anybody. He is over 80 now and with that age, Iwuanyaanwu had been a multi – billionaire. So, he is not someone you can offer something to abandon his people It’s a question of confidence . So today is a great day, for all people to come together.. Going forward from here, you will be expecting a very sane and resolute leadership. We will move forward to achieving great leadership for Ndigbo. We will give him our support.”
On his expectations from Iwuanyanwu-led Ohanaeze , Senator Umeh said, ” You must think of our people as a leader. We will not give effective leadership to our people if we don’t consider their welfare. want to preserve Igbo unity.” He called on Ndi Igbo to come together ,no matter their political affliations.
On whether he was comfortable with Iwuanyanwu’s age or not, Senator Umeh said that they were okay with his age.” BHe
Umeh explained that Iwuanyanwu is very rich and is not looking for money. “His age is okay”. It is an age where one speaks out without fear.” So this is the age anyone can lead without fear.
On the choice of Engr. Dr. Iwuanyanwu’ as late Professor Obiozor’s replacement, being from Imo state, Senator Umeh said that the former President General was from Imo state,”There was need to get someone from Imo state to complete Obiozor’s tenure.So let’s give him our support “, he said.
On the call for release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, Senator Umeh ,said something was being done about that . He assured that Iwuanyanwu will do something about that. He urged ndi Igbo to pray for the new President General to succeed in leading ndi Igbo to greater heights.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama