Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has elected former Senator John Azuta-Mbata as its new President-General.
Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East in the National Assembly, was chosen on Friday during the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held at the old Government Lodge in Enugu, Enugu State capital.
He succeeds Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, who was appointed last month to complete the tenure of Imo State, previously occupied by the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The new President-General emerged through consensus in an election witnessed by Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, and Charles Soludo of Anambra State. Ebonyi State was represented by its Deputy Governor.
Prince Okey Nwadinobi from Abia State was elected National Deputy President, while Chief Emeka Sibeidu from Anambra State became the new Secretary-General of the Igbo group.
Sibeidu previously served as Deputy Governor during the administration of Willie Obiano in Anambra State.
In his acceptance speech, Senator Azuta-Mbata expressed gratitude to the delegates for their trust and support.
He promised to work towards uniting the Igbo people and addressing pressing issues.
Azuta-Mbata was elected as the Senator for Rivers East constituency under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) platform at the start of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic on 29 May 1999.
He served two terms, having been reelected in April 2003.
He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Ibadan, showcasing his strong academic foundation in governance and public policy.
During his tenure in the Senate, Azuta-Mbata was actively involved in several key committees, including Defense, Works & Housing, Women Affairs, Finance & Appropriation (as Vice Chairman), and Local & Foreign Debts, among others.
He was a member of the Governing Council of Rivers State University of Science & Technology, demonstrating his commitment to educational development and institutional governance.
In April 2005, he faced allegations of involvement in a N55 million budget bribe scam.
However, after protracted legal battles, the charges were quashed, and he was fully acquitted by the Court of Appeal in Abuja on 1 June 2010. (vitalnewsngr.com)
