The leadership crisis within Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organization for the Igbo people, has escalated as a faction declared Dr. Jackson Omenazu from Rivers State as the new President General. This announcement was made by the Dr. Richard Ozobu-led 2025 Election Committee on January 6, 2025, with other members of the National Executive Council (NEC) also named.
The committee, which issued a statement signed by Ozobu and the committee’s secretary, Prof. Chibuikeya Achokawa, stated that Omenazu was elected unopposed. Alongside him, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro from Abia State was elected as Deputy President General, and several other NEC members were appointed.
The newly declared leadership includes:
– Abbas Chinedu (Secretary General)
– Chief Chinenyeze Thompson Ohia (National PRO/Spokesman)
– Ambassador Kingsley C. Ekwenye (National Vice President General, Anambra)
– Chief Alexander Chikalue Okemiri (National Vice President General, Ebonyi)
– Sylvester Nwogu (National Vice President General, Imo)
– Prof. Iheanacho Agboti (National Legal Adviser)
In his acceptance speech, Dr. Omenazu vowed to resist any attempts by politicians to hijack the organization, emphasizing that his election adhered to the 2004 Ohanaeze Constitution. He also highlighted the importance of his position as the rightful turn for indigenous Igbo from Rivers State to lead Ohanaeze.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous Igbo Community (IIC) in Rivers State, a group representing various Igbo sub-groups, has threatened to boycott the Ohanaeze election set for January 10 if their demands are not met. The group insists that only registered and recognized Igbo members should be allowed to contest the presidency. They have particularly rejected the candidacy of former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, claiming he is not a registered member of the Igbo community in Rivers State.
The President of IIC, Chimenu Amadi, urged Ohanaeze to allow the Rivers Igbo people to decide who would lead them, stressing that candidates should be active members of the IIC, which includes various Igbo communities in the state. The group warned that failure to consider their demand would make it difficult to unite Igbo people in Rivers State with the central Igbo in the South-East region.
As tensions rise, all eyes are on the leadership dispute within Ohanaeze Ndigbo, with critics and supporters alike eager to see how the new leadership and factions will handle the future of the organization and its role in addressing the needs of the Igbo people across Nigeria and beyond.
