Okiro brushes off concerns, insists on running for Ohanaeze presidency as Rivers indigene
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mike Okiro is pressing on with his contest in the election of Ohanaeze president general on January 10, brushing aside questions about his eligibility, and instead promising to bring his vast experience to bear in combating insecurity in Igboland if elected.
Okirio, also former Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, said although there are five contenders for the post, his leadership qualities, exposure, orientation on inclusivity and robust plans to address Ndigbo’s peculiar challenges all distinguish him from the others.
He insists on contesting despite Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) urging him to withdraw from the race in order to ensure peace and equity in Igboland, arguing that he is from Imo, not Rivers whose turn it is to occupy the post.
IWA reiterated that Ohanaeze has agreed that Rivers should produce the next president general in line with its rotational policy or the office should be returned to Abia if Igbo-speaking Riverians are not ready to produce the person.
IWA National President Nneka Chimezie said available official records confirm that Okiro is from Imo, and he cannot change his state of origin to Rivers because of his interest in Ohanaeze leadership.
“Mike Okiro is from Imo State. His elder brother is one of the Ezes in Egbeme in Imo State. I think he should do the right thing and withdraw from the race,” Chimezie demanded.
Regardless, Okiro promised that, if elected Ohanaeze president, he would promote the culture, economy, security, and other aspirations of the South East in line with what citizenry have gone through in insecurity, per reporting by Leadership.
His words: “As a retired IGP and former Chairman of Police Service Commission, I will harness my contacts; collaborate with people and government throughout Nigeria to give quality leadership to Ohanaeze. I will utilise same to address the security and socio-cultural needs of Ndigbo around the world.
“You will recall that as IGP, I played prominent role in the establishment of the Amnesty programme that restored peace in Niger Delta during the tenure of President Umaru Yar’Adua.
“That enabled companies to go about to their businesses and propelled a major leap in oil production and the resources available to state and federal governments.
“I will collaborate with all stakeholders to bring stability to the South East. I have the necessary education, skillset, strategies, experience to mitigate the security challenges we are having in the South East today. Go back to my history and antecedents; I have done very well in this regard.”
On his eligibility based on state of origin, Okiro said: “I can tell you without mincing words that I am from Rivers State. People should differentiate between Ohaji-Egbema in Imo State and Ogba/Egbema/Udoni in Rivers State. I want to submit categorically that I am from Rivers State. You can check my records.
“Even while I was in school up to university level, the records are there; some of my schoolmates can attest to this. At the University of Ibadan, now in Oyo State, one of my mates was Andrew Uchendu, who later became a Senator of the Federal Republic.
“We met at the University of Ibadan in 1974, where we both served as executive members of the National Union of Rivers’ State Students. I was the treasurer while Andrew was the general secretary. Late F.J Kuruye was the chairman.”
Okiro expressed confidence that his chances are very bright in view of his endorsement by the Rivers chapter of Ohanaeze.
He disclosed that others who have endorsed him include president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State, Lucky Ekeji; and women leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Love Meregini; both of who he said have spoken generously about his eligibility as a true son of Rivers and a proud indigene of Egbema community.
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