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The foremost Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has voiced strong opposition to reported attempts by two South-east governors to position former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, as the next President-General of the organization.
In addition, Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned attempts to modify the constitution, stating that the proposed changes were aimed at securing a tenure extension for the sitting President-General from Imo State.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo highlighted the importance of rebuilding the Igbo lineage in Rivers State, noting that the region had faced considerable challenges since the Biafra War, and that this effort would need unified and concerted action.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, through its Secretary General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, expressed concerns in a statement that with under 90 days left before the election, there were efforts aimed at side-lining Rivers State from the election of the new President-General.
Isiguzoro reiterated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would resist any attempts to place a former governor at its helm, cautioning that those who defy historical conventions and the warnings of their ancestors would face harsh consequences.
According to them, “Recent actions suggest that an unpatriotic Igbo organisation has been mobilised 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. 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.
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“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 recognise that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is presently in a constitutionally mandated transition period, and it would be both short-sighted and detrimental for him to act as an impediment to the emergence of the next President-General from Rivers State.”
The statement added, “As a sagacious leader, Chief Ikedi Ohakim is certainly aware of the sacred opportunity he was afforded during his tenure as Governor of Imo State from 2007 to 2011.
“In spite of the myriad challenges that marred his administration, the divine has cleansed his reputation; thus, it is incumbent upon him to reject the allure of those whose intentions do not align with the prosperity of our people. He must refuse any invitations to act as an obstacle in this critical transitional phase for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Such actions are inherently illegitimate and betray the principles upon which our esteemed organisation was founded. We characterise such proposals as sordid—satanic and barbaric in nature—and we wish to communicate this without any ambiguity.
“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.”
The statement called on all members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other fellow citizens to remain vigilant in confronting the challenges, assuring that the next leader would emerge through a transparent process.
