The leadership crisis rocking the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, seems to be gathering momentum as Jackson Omenazu from Rivers state has emerged the new president -general.
Other elected officers include Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro from Abia State as deputy president -general; Abbas Chinedu, secretary -general, Chief Chinenyeze Thompson Ohia, national public relations officer/spokesman, Ambassador Kingsley Ekwenye, national vice president general (Anambra); Dr. Alexander Okemiri, national vice president-general (Ebonyi); Sylvester Nwogu, national vice president -general (Imo) and Prof. Iheanacho Agboti, national legal adviser.
The new leadership emerged from the election conducted by the Richard Ozobu-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo 2025 election committee.
A statement signed by Ozobu and the committee Secretary, Prof. Chibuikeya Achokawa, stated that the new leadership emerged unopposed.
Meanwhile, another electoral committee, led by Chief Ejiofor Onyia, is slated to conduct an election on January 10, 2025.
Onyia’s committee is the main committee that has been mandated to conduct a credible election to usher in a new leadership of the apex organisation with the backing of all the South-East governors.
This is an indication that the crisis may fester for a while as the association is now engulfed in a succession tussle, which has always been the bone of contention over the decades.
In his acceptance speech, Omenazu vowed to resist attempts by desperate politicians to hijack the socio-cultural body, noting that his emergence was in accordance with the 2004 Ohanaeze constitution.
He stressed that it is the rightful turn of the indigenous Igbo of Rivers State to occupy the position of president -general.
He added: “This is a historical event as all injustices meted against the indigenous Igbo of Rivers State have been reversed. We have recovered our Igbo national identity, as a bona fide indigene of Igbo of Rivers State has emerged as the newly elected president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo since the end of the Biafra war 55 years ago.
“Igbos in Rivers State are full- blooded Igbo; this is the end of identity crisis and the politics of convenience regarding our Igbo identity.
“Today marks a pivotal moment in the history of our great organization and the Igbo people as a whole. It is a day of profound significance, not just for myself as your newly elected president-general, but also for the countless voices that have long been subdued and marginalized.
“I stand before you not merely as a leader but as a custodian of our shared heritage, a torchbearer for our collective aspirations, and a champion for our indomitable spirit.
“The cornerstone of this historic election is the affirmation of our rightful place within the narrative of the Igbo people. The selection of an indigenous Igbo from Rivers State as president-general is not merely a token representation.
“It is a bold declaration that we have reclaimed our identity and rectified the historical injustices that have plagued us for generations. It is an emphatic statement that we are not defined by the politics of convenience but by our rich legacy and unwavering commitment to our roots.
“As we navigate the complexities of the present, we must resolutely reject the attempts by desperate politicians to harness Ohanaeze for their narrow personal ambitions.”
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“The era of using our revered organisation as a pawn in the political chess game is over. Ohanaeze Ndigbo is reaffirmed as the apex socio-cultural organization representing the entirety of the Igbo people.
“Our focus shall pivot decisively toward issues that directly benefit our communities and enhance our collective progress.
“Let me make it abundantly clear: while we welcome collaboration with our governors, we will not become subservient to their interests.
“Ohanaeze shall be funded by Igbo sons and daughters around the world, ensuring that we remain resolute in our mission to defend and promote the interests of the Igbo populace against the deceptions of political elites.
“Our immediate agenda, as the newly elected executive council, features a multi-faceted approach aimed at addressing the critical issues plaguing the South-East.
“Chief among these is the urgent need to tackle insecurity—this will require concerted efforts alongside our friends and allies. We firmly stand for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, whose plight has become emblematic of our quest for justice and self-determination.
“We urge the government to recognize the importance of incorporating ethnicity and religion in the forthcoming 2025 census. Such representations are essential to rectifying historical misrepresentations and ensuring that our voices are heard in the administrative frameworks that govern our lives.
“Moreover, we demand the demilitarization of the South-East and the dismantling of unnecessary checkpoints that stifle movement and engender fear. Our homeland must be a sanctuary of peace, where the sanctity of life is upheld and the dignity of our people respected.
“We assertively declare that the restructuring of Nigeria is vital for unlocking the latent potentials of our diverse geopolitical regions. In line with this, we call for the revision of the 1999 Constitution to aptly reflect the aspirations and identities of all Nigerian ethnic groups.
“In pursuit of progress, we will vigorously advocate for the creation of additional states within Igboland. This initiative is not merely about administrative boundaries; it represents a deeper quest for representation, acknowledgement, and empowerment for our people.”
