By ARUGA JOE OMOKARO, Port Harcourt

Ahead of January 10, 2025 date to elect a new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, “Sir Mike Mbama Okiro’s pedigree is no doubt intimidating other contestants, who should humbly step down for him.”

This is the advice of an eminent Igbo son, Professor Obinna Chukwuemeka, based in the United States of America (USA).

He noted in a statement that, “Okiro is an enigmatic personality who commands awesome respect across board, and is widely held in high esteem.”

Prof. Chukwurmeka recalled that, “Okiro conceptualised the commendable Amnesty Programme, stemming from his advice on the boiling security threats posed by the ex-militants, and he forwarded his proposal to late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who graciously approved it, which has effectively and dramatically restored enduring peace in the entire Niger Delta till tomorrow.”

The veteran intellectual stressed that, “the kernel of this piece is that Ndígbo deserves a doff of hat for heeding wise counsel by strategically zoning the President General of Ohanaeze to Rivers State.

“Okiro is a master strategist who once elected, will deploy rave strategem towards putting Ndigbo in a stellar enviable position in the country’s scheme of things.”

The former Nigerian Police Boss, according to Prof Chukwurmeka, “undoubtedly has so much influence to midwife mainstreaming Ndigbo interest and ensuring that the present insecurity especially in the South East is quickly addressed devoid of bloodletting.

“As Rivers State Ndigbo March to the poll, all eyes of discerning minds can vouch for Sir Okiro coming top.”

Prof Chukwuemeka cautioned that, “the 10th January 2025 election is not about just picking a leader for Ndígbo of Rivers State descent, rather it transcends mere politicking, it is symbolic and a wake-up call for Rivers State Ndígbo to entrust it ‘s fate to someone with the nerve to stand the heat and to have as its President General an experienced, well tested and exposed charismatic and reliable statesman, who knows his onions and is very intelligent and committed to brazing the new trails towards ensuring enduring peace is restored in all parts of Ndigbo land, while navigating the realization of long held common aspirations of a people with great zeal and penchant for excelling in all facets of life”.

He advised that Okiro’s wealth of security exposure will bring lasting peace to the South East and the South South.

Prof Chukwurmeka recalled that Okiro retired without blemish from the Nigeria Police Force on attaining 60 years on July 24, 2009.

Owing to the tranquility within the Force during his tenure as IGP, coupled with his vast experience in mitigating daunting challenges Okiro was appointed the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) in 2013, by then President Goodluck Jonathan.

PSC is a coveted office responsible for the Appointment, Promotion and Discipline of the entire police personnel with the exception of only the IGP.

Okiro meritoriously served in that capacity for five years and bowed out in 2018, when his tenure expired.