By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Cultural Credibility Development Initiative (CCDI) has hailed the recent election of a new Executive for apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze, which saw the emergence of Senator John Azuta Mbata from Rivers State as the new President General.

The group In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Ide Goody Uwazurike, President, and Steve Nwabuko, Secretary, set the agenda for the Mbata-led EXCO, which will be in office till 2029.

According to the statement, the outcome of the election has been received with dignified solemnity in the sense of acceptance that a proper Igbo indigene from Rivers State won the election in the person of Senator Mbata.

It reads: “This election brings to completion the expected round of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide rotational transfer of leadership responsibility to the seven states that holds majority of Igbo ethnic stock comprising of: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.

“The outcome of this Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide general elections has solidified Igbo oneness of purpose, unity, equality, shared values and prosperity.

“The foundations of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide rotational transfer of leadership responsibility to the seven states of Igbo extraction is aimed at healing, reconciliation and forgiveness of a race ravage by civil war between 1967 to 1970 and that became divided, distraught, diminished, dehumanized and denigrated by others as NDIGBO laboured assiduously to find love amongst themselves again in place of hurt, hate and humiliation.

“This election has vacated that sense of distrust, disunity and despondency that trailed Igbo resurgence since after the civil war.

“While thanking our forefathers that formed Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide association, it is our plea that IGBO should rally round the new President General to bring total healing amongst all IGBO both at home and in diaspora.

“We wish to encourage the new President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata, to reach out to his fellow contestants in peace and inclusiveness for the good of NDIGBO.

“Since elections are not perfect worldwide as propelled by diverse human tendencies, we urge Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata to produce a robust program of activities that will ensure good governance, new constitution upgrading, electoral reforms, cultural reinvigoration, values reinvention, peaceful coexistence and boundary less IGBO land for free movement of peoples and economic activities.

“This election has brought total liberation for NDIGBO from the vagaries of civil war destructions and disengagement of avowed IGBO ethics inherently embedded in our upbringing, relationships and existence.

“We congratulate the South East Governors for rallying support to the out gone Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President General, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, who at short notice conducted an election that was devoid of personal or sectional acrimonies.

“This is the right time for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President General, Senator John Azuta Mbata to present to NDIGBO his economic agenda for making Alaigbo prosperous again, his sociocultural agenda for restoring peace in Alaigbo again, his Leadership agenda for making NDIGBO aspire to top leadership positions in all fields of endeavour both nationally and globally.

“This election has sealed the oganiru na odinma Ndigbo Worldwide and we are happy about it.”