Ohaneze Election: Prof. Pat Utomi Calls for Transparency and Fair Play by the Participants

The Labour Party Chieftain, Prof.Pat Utomi has sent words of advice to the participants in the forthcoming Ohaneze Election reportedly zoned to River State, urging all the actors to play by the rules of the game, so that Igbo Unity could be enhanced.

See his post below:

I would like to make a plea for caution and for statesmanship in the forthcoming Ohaneze elections. It will be a tragedy if the impression is created that Rivers State was played out of the rotation.

I am much saddened that I have not had much time to work behind Theo scenes as I prefer to do.
Given the consequent perception I would prefer that my dear friend Chief Mike Okiro as a statesman offer not to be a candidate.

No matter the veracity of contestations on his actual state of origin, sacrificing that position for the greater good of the cohesion of the Igbo nation is not too much for a true statesman.

I have known Mike Okiro since he was a DPO on Bode Thomas in Surulere, Lagos and I know he has it in him to see the bigger picture.
To act to the contrary may signal the wain of Ohaneze.

I am equally concerned that Rivers give us quality leadership like Delta did with Ambassador Ralph Uwaechue.

Had I enough time I would have gone to camp out at the home of my senior Dr Peter Odili and reminded him of how I carried his boots when he was the great Rockman Fabro when CKC went to duel with St. Peter’s in Achinna in 1967 until he retreats from present disposition and comes forward to make straight the path of the Igbo Nation in need of wisdom in leadership.

If I succeeded in doing so in 2010 with Uwechue, perhaps that spirit would move the rockman.
Dr Tim Menkaya has a way of reminding me that Nnia Nwodo and I were the youngest at the table at the founding of Ohaneze about 45 years ago and that we have a duty not to let the flame go out.

I plead with all the actors to think beyond this election.