By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
One of the three contestants in the January, 10th 2021 President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo world wide election which took place in Owerri, Imo state capital, Dr. Valentie Iheukwumere Oparaocha, has called on the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Electoral Committee to review the outcome of the exercise for fairness and justice he was denied of.
Oparaocha who said he came second in the contest, recalled that the former President, late George Obiozor, was disqualified on account of his age, but despite that he (Obiozor) was cleared to stand for the election and even declared President of the apex Igbo organisation.
Again, the immediate past President, late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who was never part of the election or participated in the contest was after the death of Obiozor handed over the leadership of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo for reasons best known to those behind the scheme, Oparaoca also pointed out.
Oparaocha, a retired Security Expert, said he came second despite discouragements and notwithstanding manipulations and irregularities condoned by those who presided over the electoral process and expressed preparedned to pursue and reclaim his, ‘stolen mandate’.
In a protest letter to the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo, Electoral Committee’s headquarters in Enugu, Enugu state titled, “Petition for Review of 2021 President-General Election and Reclamation of Mandate”, made available to our Correspondent in Minna, Niger state Oparaocha said he believes that he should be the rightful occupant of the stool.
The retired security personnel who said he doesn’t want to be seen as mocking or disrespectful to the dead by raising the flag when the remains of late Iwuanyanwu, the last occupant of the seat is yet to be interred, argued that there should not be a vacuum hence his decision to write to reclaim what he was craftly denied of by the electoral committee.
Though arm-twisted, but had to let go for peace to reign, Oparaocha argued that it is still the tenure for Imo state for the stool has not expired, it will be a great honour done to him and Imo state if he is allowed to pilot the affairs of the group to complete the tenure.
“Due to electoral irregularities and mandate theft, I seek to reclaim my lost mandate, especially now that the office has become vacant again and Imo state tenure has not elapsed”, adding that though the last occupant of the seat is yet to be accorded final burial rites, there shouldn’t be a vaccum in the leadership of the world apex Igbo organisation.
He also observed that, late Iwuanyanwu never bought form or participated in the electoral process but was also made the Onahaneze Ndi-Igbo President-General without buying the form at the mandatory N500, 000 (Five hundred thousand Naira), without contesting election and without screening which is against the constitution of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo world wide.
While he, late Obiozor and one other contestant went through all the electoral process after procuring form for N500,000, Oparaocha said he was not happy though decided to allow peace reign when late Iwuanyanwu was pronounced as replacement for late Obiozor.
Now that the stool is vacant and there is still time for an Imo state indigene, Oparaocha said he is still interested and ready to reclaim his lost mandate as one of the contestants who went through all the electoral process and also came second in the contest.
Oparaocha said he is ready to cooperate with the committee if they decide to investigate his claims to have been the actual winner of the election, adding that he is also ready to prove his case by providing details about what happened at the Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri, where the 10th of January 2021 President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo world wide election took place.
Asked why he waited till now to demand for a review of the outcome of election that took place about three years now, Oparaocha said he did so to respect some Igbo elders who pleaded that he should allow peace to reign. NNL.