As part of efforts to reclaim his alleged stolen mandate, one of the three contestants in the January, 10th 2021 President-General of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo world wide elections, Dr. Valentie Iheukwumere Oparaocha has called on the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Electoral Committee to review the outcome of the exercise for fairness and justice and declare him winner.
Three years after, Oparaocha who said he came second in the contest which held in Owerri, Imo state capital, 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.
He alleged that, the immediate past President, late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who was neither part of the election or participated in the contest was after the death of Obiozor handed the leadership of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo for reasons best known to those behind the scheme.
Oparaocha, a retired Security Expert, said he came second despite discouragements, manipulations and irregularities condoned by those who presided over the electoral process and that he is preparedness 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 craftily denied of.
Oparaocha argued that it is still the tenure of 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.
Accordingly, he said “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.
“Although, the last occupant of the seat is yet to be accorded final burial rites, there shouldn’t be a vacuum in the leadership of the world apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.”
While observing that, the late Iwuanyanwu never bought the form at the mandatory N500,000 (Five hundred thousand Naira), and did not contesti election nor went through screening process which negates the constitution of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo world wide.
He added that, the late Obiozor and one other contestant went through all the electoral process after procuring form for N500,000, but decided to allow peace reign when the 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, I am still interested and ready to reclaim my lost mandate as one of the contestants who went through all the electoral processes and even came second in the contest”, he said.
Oparaocha further disclosed that 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 “I am ready to prove my case by providing details about what happened at the Dan Anyiam stadium Owerri, where the election took place”.
