The Imeobi/General Assembly of Igbo socio political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has resolved to. cede the office of the next President General of the group to Rivers state
This was disclosed through a communiqué issued by the group st the end of its meeting st the weekend in,, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo however noted that Imo state, will complete its remaining 27 days tenure on. January 10, 2025, when it will formally hand over to the Rivers state nominee for the office of president general
The communiqué which was signed by
Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR*
Secretary-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Rt. Hon. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary,stated that the Imeobi/General Assembly meeting, which was at the National Secretariat, No. 7 Park Avenue, GRA Enugu, reviewed the series of events that have taken place since the tragic demise of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Chief Dr. Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR.
The communiqué noted further that the Imeobi, which was attended by notable Igbo leaders, took note of the chain of catastrophe which has visited Ohanaeze in the last couple of years especially the successive demise of two Presidents-General between 2022 and 2024, adding that it extensively reviewed the situation and took note that the tenure of Imo State in the presidency of Ohanaeze would expire on January 10, 2025 and that there is need to allow Imo State to complete her remaining 27days in office. The Imeobi, therefore, resolved as follows:
“That it accepts the request by Imo delegates to nominate someone capable to oversee the leadership of Ohanaeze until 10th January 2025 when a new President-General will be elected based on the constitutional provision of Ohanaeze Ndigbo
“That the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shall be followed strictly in the election of the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
“That the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide shall come from Rivers State as provided in the constitution.
It stated.f further that the Imeobi resolved that the composition of both Election and Screening Committees for the forthcoming Ohanaeze election is the function of the NEC
“Flowing from Resolution No.1 and in line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imeobi adopted the nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu by Barrister C.J Ihemedu, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State; and HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the Chairman, Council of Elders, Imo State. The motion was seconded by Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo), amongst others. This motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote by the Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“The nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as the new President-General of Ohanaeze at the Imeobi was subsequently presented to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide General Assembly. The State Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers States, expressed delight over the nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as the new President-General until January 10, 2025. The Chairman of the South East Caucus in the National Assembly,
Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe expressed satisfaction over the emergence of Chukwu.
“Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu was therefore sworn-in as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by National Legal Adviser, Barrister Joseph Obinamma Ojobu and the Assistant Legal Adviser Dr. Peter Aneke.
“That the President-General of Ohanaeze, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu and the National Executive Committee should compose the Electoral and Screening Committees on Sunday December 15, 2024.
“The Southeast Governors’ Forum, represented by H.E Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, charged the new President-General to ensure that the forthcoming Ohanaeze election should be both transparent and credible,” the communique read
However, the decision to cede the next Ohanaeze president general to Rivers state has however elucidated joy and appreciation from the President of the Rivers State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State, Dr Lucky Ekeji, who expressed the readiness of the chapter to produce the next president general and lead the group to a greater height