Ohanaeze Ndigbo was thrown into disarray on Friday following the emergence of three factional Presidents-General, further deepening the leadership crisis within the Igbo socio-cultural organisation....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
The development follows a contentious election held in Enugu, where Senator John Azuta-Mbata emerged as the new President-General, replacing Fidelis Chukwu, whose tenure had expired.
The election, which took place at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu, saw the former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Chief Emeka Sibeudu, elected as the new Secretary-General.
The election process was conducted through voice voting, and in addition to Mbata, 15 other individuals secured positions within the organisation.
In an interview, the newly elected National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Ezechi Chuckwu, emphasised the significance of the election:
“Today marks a pivotal moment in the history of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as we witness the convergence of various Igbo groups, representing different sectors such as academia, religious institutions, and cultural organisations, both home and abroad, to elect a capable leader. The new President-General, John Azuta Mbata, has shown commitment to fostering peace and unity in Igboland, and we are confident that his leadership will prioritise these values.”
However, the election has sparked controversy as two other key figures in the organisation, Uche Okwukwu and Jackson Omenazu, have both claimed the title of President-General.
Okwukwu, the immediate past Secretary-General and one of the contestants in the election, insisted that the process in Enugu was illegitimate, as Mbata is not a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Omenazu, Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights, echoed this sentiment, stating, “We are not interested in what transpired in Enugu. It was a case of lawlessness, and I remain the rightful President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. What happened there was not an election. The guidelines were ignored, and it was a clear misfire. Ask Azuta Mbata how many meetings of Ohanaeze he has attended. He is not even a member. Ohanaeze belongs to the people, not to a select few, and I have returned it to them.”
In a separate interview, Okwukwu reinforced his position, stressing the traditional election process.
He explained: “Our election was held in Port Harcourt, in accordance with Ohanaeze’s tradition, where the state producing the President-General hosts the election. Enugu hosted in 2017, Imo in 2021, and now it was Rivers State’s turn. I was elected in Port Harcourt. It’s important to remember that to be President-General, you must first be a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Azuta Mbata cannot just claim the position without being part of the organisation.”
Okwukwu also questioned Mbata’s eligibility: “Can someone who has never attended an Ohanaeze meeting truly become President-General? Ask him if he has ever attended an Ohanaeze Ndigbo gathering and if he would publicly declare that the Ikwerre people are Igbo. The delegates to the election come from all states, and the process must follow the guidelines, not be decided by government houses.”
The crisis has now left the Ohanaeze Ndigbo organisation divided, with three factions claiming legitimacy over the leadership of the Igbo socio-cultural group. ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
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