The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has cautioned a former governor of Imo state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim over reports that he is interested in becoming the President-General of the group.
Recall that a group known as the Igbo Progressive Movement (IPM), recently expressed its full support for the nomination of Ohakim, as the next President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Election is scheduled for January 10th-11th, 2025.
Reacting to the report, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, warned Ohakim to “decline such temptations.”
Isiguzoro said in a statement: “We feel compelled to issue an unequivocal warning against the surreptitious schemes that are purportedly being orchestrated by two governors from the southeast.
Recent actions suggest that an unpatriotic Igbo organization has been mobilized to entice Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a respected former governor, into pursuing a non-existent position as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
We urge Chief Ohakim to summon his righteous resolve and unequivocally decline such temptations.
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At this stage of his life, with a rich and storied political history, we implore him to focus on the political landscape where his leadership is genuinely needed—whether that be as a Governor (for a single term), Senator, Vice President, or even the President of Nigeria in the near future.
Should Chief Ohakim heed the voice of wisdom, Ohanaeze Ndigbo will fervently support his re-election as Governor of Imo State.
“Chief Ohakim must take heed and be mindful of those deceitful political elites who have misled two Igbo elder statesmen from Imo State, leading them to dismal ends despite the numerous admonitions from the Igbo College of Archbishops and Bishops advocating for peace and restoration within Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“He should recognize that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is presently in a constitutionally mandated transition period, and it would be both shortsighted and detrimental for him to act as an impediment to the emergence of the next President General from Rivers State.”
Isiguzoro counselled Ohakim to “refuse any invitations to act as an obstacle in this critical transitional phase for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”
“The restoration of our Igbo lineage in Rivers State, which has suffered greatly since the Biafra War, is a mission requiring collective strength and unity.
“We strongly condemn any attempts to amend the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution with the aim of facilitating a tenure elongation for the current President General from IMO State by any means.
“Such actions are inherently illegitimate and betray the principles upon which our esteemed organization was founded. We characterize such proposals as sordid—satanic and barbaric in nature, and we wish to communicate this without any ambiguity,” the statement noted.
The group further stated that there is no justification for the underhanded manoeuvring aimed at sidelining Rivers State in the election for the next President General.
“To deny Rivers State the opportunity to assume the position of President General in 2025 would constitute an egregious extension of 24 years of subjugation, an affront to the unity and aspirations of our people.
“Those contemplating such actions must heed the warnings of our ancestral spirits, for historical precedents show that those who defy divine will face severe repercussions.
“Together, we will ensure that our next leader emerges through a transparent process that embodies the collective will of the Igbo people – an authentic representation of our hopes, values, and aspirations,” the statement concluded.