From Bola Ogunlayi, Ibadan
The lingering crisis rocking the Oyo State Socio-cultural Association, Ohaneze Ndigbo, is set to be finally resolved as its leaders have resolved to conduct an all embracing election that will usher in a new set of executive that will run its affairs.
This was made known on Tuesday by its leaders at a press conference held at the Media Center, Liberty Stadium,Ibadan.
Each of the seven states that made up the Association will have its members represented in the election to make it democratic and peopled by credible men and women.
The President of the Association,Sir Godwin Mbah, who disclosed this, said the Elders have made far reaching decisions to ensure that peace and unity reign supreme in the affairs of the Association with members pledging to bury the hatchet and make the necessary sacrifices.
Represented by the Vice President, Chief Ndidi Nzeako,condemned the election conducted by a factional group sometimes ago on the ground that it was not a true reflection of the people’s wish and that it was politically motivated.
“Due to the issues we raised and criticisms that greeted the said election the people behind it changed its name to Ohaneze worldwide,an action that would never promote pleasure and unity in our respective association”,he stated.
“We are addressing the Press today to correct the misinformation in the public domain that we now have elected leaders.It was a fraud, but we have moved ahead to reconcile everyone.
Boasting of genuine reconciliation efforts that would change the narrative in the embattled Ohaneze Ndigbo,Oyo State,the President said that they have gone so far in bringing everybody together in the election which would be conducted at an unannounced date.
Describing setting up a political Ohaneze Ndigbo as a death trap,Sir Mbah said its leaders would not fold its arms to allow things to degenerate to a level of disunity.
He called on members who are still aggrieved to embrace peace and follow the path of unity, which has positioned the Association in better stead.
“Our doors are widely open for everybody to participate in the forthcoming election where members from Enugu,Imo,Anambra,Rivers,Ebonyi, and Abia state will be opportuned to elect their leaders”, he stated
Speakers after Speakers, including, the secretary, Barrister Udi Ofurunna,Chief Mathias Jawadin Ebubo,Dr Isaac F. Ogada and Chief Godwin Ngwu corroborated the president speech and added that five members of the Committee who once disagreed on the resolution of the crises were present at the Press briefing.
They argued that their coming together to embrace a united Igbo cultural association in Oyo State was a product of consultations,deliberations,give and take,patriotism , and sacrifice.
End
