I Am Eminently Qualified For Ohanaeze President-General – Okiro

As the General Assembly prepares to elect the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Friday, former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, a leading contender for the position, on Thursday declared his readiness to serve.

Okiro, who previously chaired the Police Service Commission, stated that his qualifications, leadership experience, and inclusive vision make him the best candidate to lead the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.

Why I Stand Out

Okiro highlighted his robust plans to address the unique needs of Ndigbo, emphasizing his commitment to promoting the region’s culture, economy, and security.

Hee said, “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 utilize the same to address the security and socio-cultural needs of Ndigbo around the world.

“You will recall that as IGP, I played a major 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 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, skill, 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 the issues concerning his 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 say clearly 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 is 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.”

He said his chances are very high because he has the endorsement of the Rivers Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, because the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State, Chief Lucky Ekeji and the Women leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mrs Love Chimezie Meregini, have spoken generously about eligibility, as a true son of Rivers State and a proud indigene of the Egbema community.