‘Be a unifying force’ — Buhari congratulates new Ohanaeze president

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated George Obiozor on his election as the new president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Obiozor defeated two other candidates to emerge leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group at an election conducted in Owerri, Imo state capital, on Sunday.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, Buhari asked Obiozor, Nigeria’s former ambassador to the United States, Israel and Cyprus, to deploy his wealth of experience within and outside government to forge greater unity of the country.

“Gven Prof. Obiozor’s rich background, especially, in international affairs and pan-Nigerian commitment, I have little doubt that his election is well-deserved and will serve not only the interest of Ndigbo, but also that of his fatherland,” Shehu quoted the president to have said.

“We need all hands to be on deck for this country to move forward in peace and unity.”

The president wished Obiozor a successful tenure and advised him to be a “unifying force beyond his immediate constituency.”