Former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Mbama Okiro, has gained significant support in his bid to become the next President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The Igbo Elders’ Council has officially endorsed Okiro as their preferred candidate, citing his extensive experience and leadership capabilities.
In a statement, Nze Uchechukwu Enweremadu, speaking on behalf of the council, highlighted Okiro’s exceptional career.
He listed the leaders Okiro has worked with, including General Muhammadu Buhari (1983), Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (1985), Gen Sani Abacha (1990), Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998), President Olusegun Obasanjo (1999), President Musa Yar’Adua (2007), President Goodluck Jonathan (2010), President Muhammadu Buhari (2015), and President Bola Tinubu, when Okiro served as Commissioner of Police in Lagos State.
Enweremadu further praised Okiro’s proven track record in addressing national issues. He recalled Okiro’s successful efforts in managing the Odua Peoples Congress crisis in Lagos, which could have had significant economic consequences. His handling of the crisis, according to Enweremadu, helped avert a larger breakdown of law and order in Lagos and the South-West region, ultimately contributing to the economic stability of the region.
The Igbo elders also acknowledged Okiro’s role in the creation of the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, which helped reduce bloodshed and unrest in the Niger Delta. Enweremadu emphasized that the programme, which resulted in the surrender of thousands of firearms, significantly boosted Nigeria’s oil production and saved countless lives. He pointed out that Okiro’s peace-building efforts in the region led to a major increase in Nigeria’s crude oil output, from 600,000 barrels per day to 1.6 million barrels per day.
Enweremadu also noted the trust Okiro had earned among the militants, explaining that they did not hold him captive because they considered him one of their own.
Enweremadu expressed strong confidence in Okiro’s ability to bring peace and economic stability to the South-East, just as he had done for the South-West and South-South regions. “We believe Mike Okiro can replicate these achievements in Igbo land,” Enweremadu stated, emphasizing that his global connections and leadership qualities make him the ideal candidate to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo at this critical time. He concluded that Okiro’s leadership would help end the isolation of Igbos in Nigeria and build bridges across divides to achieve collective progress.
Enweremadu, said “Okiro is the only living retired senior police officer to have worked with nine heads of state and presidents of Nigeria.”
Enweremadu continued, “Okiro has track records of solving the nation’s problems time and again. As a police officer, he was able to curb the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) incessant crisis in Lagos State that could have resulted in much more serious economic losses to Lagos.”
“His tactical wisdom in handling of that crisis saved Lagos State and the entire South-west region from serious breakdown of law and order.
“The Amnesty has halted further bloodshed of Nigerian youths in the Niger Delta region. That action saved the lives of tens of thousands of Nigeria’s youths from what could have become the greatest tragedy of our time from Nigeria’s own military onslaught on Nigeria’s youths.
“This very action also helped improved Nigeria’s economy. Again, in 24 hours after S Mike Okiro returned from the creeks after meeting with the militants, thousands of guns were surrendered, and the militants stopped their attacks on Nigeria’s oil infrastructure and Nigeria’s crude oil output rose from 600,000 barrel per day (BPD) to 1.6million BPD. Ndi-Igbo will surely benefit from Mike Okiro’s wealth of experience,” he advised.
He also disclosed that “ The militants didn’t hold him captive because of their trust and confidence in him as one of their brothers.”
Enweremadu insisted that Sir Mike Okiro is the best candidate for the position of Ohaneze Ndigbo, saying: “with Mike Okiro’s track records of helping to bring peace and economic stability to two geopolitical zones of South-west and South-south of Nigeria, we believe he can replicate same in the South-east of Nigeria and indeed all Igbo land by ending the isolation of Igbos in Nigeria. “
“We trust and believe in Mike Okiro’s world connections to bring peace and economic revival to Igboland and the borders of Nigeria. This is the kind of leader Igbos need to lead us at this critical time where building bridges across various divides has become imperative to achieve collective,” he declared.
