From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
The Igbo Community Association (ICA) in Plateau State has elected a new leader, High Chief Johnson Nwosu, as the new Oche Ndi Igbo the 4th after years of internal crises, following a peaceful and hitch-free election.
The election, which took place on Saturday at the Igbo Community Association in Apata town Hall, saw Nwosu elected with the highest score of 210 votes, to beat two other contestants, who secured three votes and one, each.
The result installed Nwosu as the President-General of all Igbo-speaking people residing in the state.
Nwosu, in his acceptance speech, applauded the Igbo residents for their overwhelming support for his landslide victory.
He promised to carry all the Igbo community Association alone towards addressing some of the differences involved.
”We cannot continue like this because there is no society that can develop under the atmosphere of rancor, as he appealed for peaceful coexistence amongst them and the people of Plateau State.
”According to him, we shall contribute our quarter to the development of business in Plateau State and he assures that the Igbo residents in the State are willing to partner with the administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang reelection bid.
In a widely contested race for the position of Oche Ndi Igbo, Nwosu secured victory by defeating Dr Friday Uche Obiora and Okonkwo with 210 votes to 3, 1.
Nwosu expressed gratitude to the community and reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to fostering peace, harmony, and love within the Igbo community and their host communities in Plateau State.
“I urge our members to continue promoting the bond of unity among themselves and with our hosts,” Nwosu stated,
He emphasised that mutual cooperation remains vital for the socio-economic, commercial, and political advancement of the people and the state as a whole.
He called on all contestants to put the election behind them and rally round his administration to forge a united front that will elevate the community.
The Chairman of Electoral Commission, Chief Ejike Amajua, pronounced Nwosu as the winner, having scored the highest votes cast in a peaceful election.
He acknowledged that the long delay in the election was due to internal conflict.
”But today God Almighty has put an end, we are one united people,” he added.
Ejike admonished all sons and daughters of Igbo residents in Plateau State to give their support to the new leadership for the progress of State .
In his speech, Obiora expressed satisfaction with the manner in which the election was conducted peacefully.
”This brings an end to factional issues within the Igbo Community Association in the state. We are ready to support Nwosu for him to succeed. Now, there are no more differences,” he said.
He described the election as perfect and transparent exercise which is a clear demonstration that, he is love by all the people but what is left for him now is to accommodate everyone.
Obiora thanked the electoral body for the peaceful conduct of the election, and appealed to the Igbo Community Association to introduce meaningful development that can improve the wellbeing of the youths.
He advised the new Oche Ndi Igbo to learn to accommodate all the diverse groups of people, and to foster unity amongst them in spite of their choice of cultural values.
The high point of the occasion was oaths taken by the new Oche Ndi Igbo,by Barr.Peter Obi and C.J.Nnaji ,Esq and followed by rolling out drums celebration.
The President General of Igbo in Plateau State, Chief Chidi Onah said he was full of joy for the peaceful election held under his leadership.
Onah extended warm congratulations to Nwosu, the newly-elected Oche Ndi Igbo of Jos.
The felicitation, laden with optimism and calls for unity, amongst the Igbo community Association in the State, we must not continue ourselves in conflict and time has come the Igbo to speak with one voice.
He also praised the Ndigbo for conducting an election that reflected collective Igbo unity and highlighted the exceptional qualifications of Chief Johnson Nwosu, whom he described as a young leader with an impressive track record.
“We, Ndị Igbo in Plateau State, are very pleased and delighted with the outcome of the Oche Ndi Igbo. It shows that we are together in unison, and that whether we find ourselves in Rivers, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, or Anambra states, we remain together as one family of Igbo-speaking people,” he said.
The ICA President General also called on the Igbo-speaking people of Plateau State, the home of peace and tourism , to rally around their son and support him as he embarks on this historic journey to lead and unite the Igbo people across the 17 LGAs .
Onah emphasized that the roots of Oche Ndi Igbo embody unity, resilience, and a shared commitment to advancing the cause of the Igbo people.
However, he also used the opportunity to address rising tensions within the Igbo community of Plateau State, . Cautioning against division, he urged the Igbo people to foster a harmonious atmosphere for the new leader.
According to him, as the newly-elected leader steps into his role, all eyes will be on how he steers the challenges and opportunities ahead in uniting and advancing the interests of the Igbo people .
In a show of unalloyed supports, the ICA President General, Chidi Onah, pledged the full backing of the Igbo Community Association in Plateau for the new leadership. He highlighted the strategic importance of the ICA’s grassroots network of units spread across the state in bolstering the new administration’s efforts.