The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been thrown into confusion as two individuals are now claiming the position of President-General of the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organisation.
On one hand, Senator John Azuta-Mbata was elected as the 13th President-General during an election in Enugu on Friday.
Azuta-Mbata, a former senator who represented Rivers East from 1999 to 2007, succeeded Fidelis Chukwu, whose tenure had ended.
His election marks a historic moment as he hails from Rivers State in South-south Nigeria.
In another development, a renowned activist and lawyer, Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu, was also declared President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide during the organisation’s convention in Port Harcourt.
According to the returning officer, Achi Achi, Okwukwu was elected unopposed after a process led by the progressive movement in Igboland, which took place from Thursday to Friday.
Both leaders were chosen to lead the same organisation, creating a state of uncertainty within Ohanaeze.
The General Assembly declared Okwukwu’s victory, citing his commitment to the defence of Igbo interests and his dedication to upholding the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.