No Vacancy Or Tenure Elongation For Ohanaeze PG: Ohanaeze Cautions Former Governor Ohakim

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization dedicated to advocating for the principles, needs, and aspirations of the Igbo people, considers it a paramount duty to address a matter of grave importance that jeopardizes the integrity and democratic ideals of our revered institution. With less than 90 days remaining before the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Election set to take place on January 10th and 11th, 2025, it has become essential for us to issue a resolute warning regarding the covert maneuvers allegedly orchestrated by two governors from the Southeast.

This press release comes in response to recent developments involving unpatriotic entities conspiring to lure Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo State, into a position of undue influence within Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We implore Chief Ohakim to summon his innate wisdom and decisively reject any propositions aimed at enticing him to assume a non-existent role as President General of our esteemed organization. We firmly reinforce that the covenants of our land reflect a collective mourning for the failures of leadership that have transpired, and we urge him to channel his considerable capabilities back into the political arena—be it as a Governor for a single term, as a Senator, or perhaps aspiring to higher offices such as Vice Presidency or even the Presidency of Nigeria. Should Chief Ohakim heed this call of wisdom, we, as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, will support his re-election as Governor of Imo State.

Chief Ohakim must tread carefully, for there exists cohort of deceitful political elites and individuals who have misled two prominent Igbo elder statesmen from Imo State into this misguided endeavours that led to their disastrous ends. He must understand that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is firmly entrenched in a transitional period as stipulated by our constitution. Thus, we implore Chief Ohakim to resist becoming a barrier in the path toward the emergence of a new President General from Rivers State within the impending 90-day timeline.

As an astute Igbo man, Chief Ohakim surely recognizes the unique opportunity bestowed upon him during his tenure as the Governor of Imo State from 2007 to 2011, despite the challenges and controversies he faced. The divine has cleared his name, and it is crucial that he resists the temptation to engage with those whose intentions may not align with the greater good. We must not allow the ghosts of the past—specifically, the lingering divisions sown since the Biafra War—determine our collective future in Rivers State.

In the spirit of transparency and integrity, we wish to categorically denounce any proposals abounding in rumors regarding the legitimization of prospective candidates who do not personify the values and aspirations of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We are troubled by whispers of an unpopular candidate from Asa Ndoki in Abia State—a candidate fully supported by a retired Army General with a history steeped in controversy. The dual heritage of such candidates raises pressing concerns, as their Asa Ndoki allegiances appear to lie more with the Ijaw nation than the rich mosaic of Igbo identity. This candidate must be unequivocally rejected.

Furthermore, we adamantly oppose any discussions of amending the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution merely to facilitate an extension of the current President General’s tenure from IMO State. This notion is not only illegitimate but represents a gravely subversive action against the fundamental tenets of our organization. We characterize these attempts as sordid, sinister, and in direct opposition to our shared values, and we wish to articulate this without any obfuscation or ambiguity.

Let us make it explicitly clear: there exists no justification for any clandestine maneuvering aimed at disenfranchising Rivers State in its rightful quest for the next President General. The ramifications of denying Rivers State this opportunity would extend for another 24 years the painful legacy of marginalization that has persisted for over five decades since 1970, initiating yet another chapter of an unbearable identity crisis for our Igbo lineage. Such an affront to unity is both unacceptable and intolerable.

It is time for us to reignite and reaffirm our ties with our people in Rivers State. This endeavor transcends mere political necessity; it is a moral obligation we owe to one another as custodians of the Igbo heritage. The responsibilities we bear compel us to diminish the artificial divisions that have lingered since the tumultuous end of the Biafra conflict.

As we stand on the precipice of a changing leadership landscape, we reiterate that there is no vacancy to be filled through underhanded tactics or duplicitous ideologies. The discontent resonating throughout our communities should serve as an urgent call to reject these nefarious schemes. The spirits of our ancestors, alongside Chukwu Okike Abiama, are evidently outraged by these conspiracies, and we implore all parties involved in these plots to cease forthwith, to uphold the tenets of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution, and to acknowledge Rivers State’s rightful place in the forthcoming election for President General.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has unequivocally stated that our organization will not be a refuge for failed politicians nor a tool for political elites seeking to satisfy their ambitions at the expense of collective well being of Ndigbo. We caution against any attempts to insert a former governor into the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo—actions rooted in deceit will not go unchallenged, and history demonstrates that those who defy the will of the gods face dire consequences.

In conclusion, let this statement serve as a resolute affirmation of our unwavering commitment to transparency, unity, and the indomitable spirit of the Igbo people. We call upon every member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, along with our fellow citizens, to remain vigilant against the shadows cast by these challenges. Together, we shall usher in a leadership that embodies our collective will, values, and aspirations.

Signed,

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Secretary General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo*

15th October 2024