Ndi-Igbo in America have re-elected Engr. Joe Nze-Eto as the chairman of World Igbo Congress.
He won in a landslide victory at the election held on Sunday at Hilton Houston Southwest in Houston Texas, United States.
In a contentious election marred by barrage of negative postings by his detractors, Eto weathered the storm to garner impressive number of votes for his landslide re-election victory, a statement by Dr. Acho Orabuchi, Media Director states.
According to him, the Chairmanship contest was between the incumbent, Engr. Joe Eto and Chief Larry Udorji. Prior to the election, the third candidate withdrew through a text message forwarded to me: “Thank u for the support and the opportunity u gave me during the WIC election process. It is not to be this time. God’s time is the best. It is not for lack of effort. Again thank you.”—Charles Maduka
Orabuchi states further, “The electoral officer, Prof. Chidi Onyenekwu announced the election results in favor of a coalition that supported Eto. In his reaction to his victory, Chairman Eto said, “I’m speechless,” referring to the margin of victory against Chief Larry Udorji. “I am thankful to my campaign team and supporters, including everyone who helped my campaign,” Eto said. “I thank to the Media Director, my fellow board executive team, and individuals who believed in me and took it upon themselves to dispel the image of me my opponents put on the internet with fictitious names.” “Most importantly, I am thankful to my wife and children for their unflinching support because of my unbridled passion to advance the Igbo cause,” Joe Eto expressed.
“Five police officers were there to ensure that the election process ran smoothly as they ensured that orderly conduct and decorum were maintained. The five police officers witnessed a transparent election among the Igbo in America.
“Chief Barth Okoro, who was running for Vice Chairman withdrew his candidacy thereby paving the way for Dr. Ken Igwe to run unopposed for the position.
According to Atty. Uzoma Ofodu, “The election went very well; it was transparent and followed the Board Directors’ decision. The three affiliates that never participated in board meetings and failed to pay their dues were not allowed to participate in the election, effectively bringing to an end to situation where affiliates stay away from WIC activities only to show up on election time to pay their dues and disappear again.”
Before the three affiliates were excluded from participating in this year’s election, Prof. Louis Okonkwo, Financial Secretary of WIC, stated, “I emailed the demand notices to all the affiliates for the payment of their annual dues and other financial obligations, but they never responded.”
About two affiliates collected their ballot cards and refused to cast them when they were called to do so.
Summary of Election Results:
Chairman: Engr. Joe Eto 36 votes out of 39
Vice Chairman: Dr. Ken Igwe 34 votes
Secretary: Agather Anosike 31 votes
Assistant Secretary: Chief Livi Madu 36 votes
Treasurer: Chief Festus Okere 39 votes
Financial Secretary: Dr. Louis Okonkwo 39 votes
PRO: Chigozie Onwukwe 35 votes
Chief Whip: Godwin Ndukwe 36 out of 39