The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the foremost socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has issued a stern warning to Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo State, regarding his reported interest in becoming the President-General of the group.
Recently, the Igbo Progressive Movement (IPM) publicly endorsed Ohakim for the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with elections slated for January 10th-11th, 2025.
In response to this development, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, urged Ohakim to “resist such temptations.”
Isiguzoro stated, “We feel it is necessary to issue a clear warning against the covert schemes allegedly orchestrated by two governors from the southeast. Recent activities indicate that an unpatriotic Igbo organization is attempting to lure Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a respected former governor, into pursuing a non-existent role as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”
He implored Ohakim to “gather his inner strength and firmly decline these temptations.”
“At this point in his life, with his extensive political background, we encourage him to concentrate on the political arena where his leadership is truly needed—whether that be as a Governor (for a single term), Senator, Vice President, or even aspiring for the presidency of Nigeria in the near future.”
Should Chief Ohakim heed this wise counsel, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo would wholeheartedly back his re-election as Governor of Imo State.
“Chief Ohakim must be vigilant and wary of the deceitful political elites who have misled two Igbo elder statesmen from Imo State, leading them to unfortunate outcomes despite numerous warnings from the Igbo College of Archbishops and Bishops advocating for peace and unity within Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“He should understand that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is currently in a constitutionally mandated transition phase, and it would be both shortsighted and harmful for him to obstruct the emergence of the next President General from Rivers State.”
Isiguzoro advised Ohakim to “reject any invitations to act as a hindrance during this critical transition for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”
He emphasized that “the restoration of our Igbo heritage in Rivers State, which has endured significant challenges since the Biafra War, is a mission that demands collective strength and unity.”
The organization strongly opposes any attempts to alter the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution aimed at extending the tenure of the current President General from Imo State.
“Such maneuvers are inherently illegitimate and betray the foundational principles of our esteemed organization. We characterize these proposals as sordid, satanic, and barbaric in nature, and we wish to state this unequivocally,” the statement concluded.
The group reiterated that there is no justification for the underhanded tactics intended to marginalize Rivers State in the election for the next President General.
