Former Senator John Azuta-Mbata has been elected as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Friday at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu, the Enugu State capital.
His election was attended by governors of the South-East, prominent Igbo leaders, and political stakeholders.
This announcement follows a separate declaration in Port Harcourt just hours earlier, where Uche Okwukwu, a well-known activist and lawyer, was also named President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the group’s convention.
Okwukwu, an Ikwerre indigene, was reportedly elected unopposed during the Port Harcourt event.
The Enugu meeting, however, saw Azuta-Mbata officially recognized as the 13th President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, succeeding Fidelis Chukwu, who recently completed Imo State’s tenure leading the pan-Igbo organization.
Chukwu had assumed leadership following the death of Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who himself succeeded George Obiozor in 2023.
Azuta-Mbata, born in January 1960, holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Ibadan. He has a distinguished political career, having served as a Senator representing Rivers East during Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (1999–2007) under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
With Rivers State now completing its turn to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Azuta-Mbata is expected to serve a four-year tenure. His leadership comes at a critical time for the socio-cultural organization, which aims to address key issues affecting the Igbo community and maintain unity among its members.
The dual announcements of leadership in Enugu and Port Harcourt, however, raise questions about potential divisions within the organization.
As stakeholders rally behind Azuta-Mbata, many are hopeful that his tenure will bring renewed focus and cohesion to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
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