The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reaffirmed its commitment to the organisation’s constitution, maintaining that Rivers State should produce the next president-general in January 2025.
This decision was made at a meeting held in Enugu, which was attended by almost all NEC members, according to a statement made available to journalists Enugu on Wednesday.
The NEC resolved that Ambassador Okey Emuchay should convene a meeting of Imeobi Ohanaeze to set up an electoral umpire for the 2025 Ohanaeze election.
According to the statement, Emuchay had thanked the Igbo people for their support and assured that the January 2025 election will be a huge success.
This development is in line with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution, which stipulates that the presidency should rotate among the different Igbo states. The immediate past spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, has also emphasized that it’s the turn of Rivers State to produce the next president-general.
It’s worth noting that there have been some controversies surrounding the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, with some individuals claiming to be the acting president-general. However, the NEC’s decision to uphold the constitution and maintain the rotational presidency is a positive step towards promoting unity and stability within the organization.
The statement partly read: “The meeting commenced with one minute silence in honour of eminent Igbo personages who passed on recently. They include Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu; Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah and Onyeka Onwenu.
“Members expressed immense satisfaction on the administrative capacity of the Secretary General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay MFR with a vote of confidence moved by Chief Chukwuemeka Udodeme, the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State. In seconding the motion, the Vice President General for Delta State, Chief Emeka Festus Ogwu, commended Ambassador Emuchay and the members of the National Burial Committee led by Sen. Ben Obi on the successful funeral programmes for Chief Iwuanyanwu.
“Others expressed delight over the cooperation and kind gestures displayed by the South East Governors Forum, led by His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, the Governor of Imo State.
“The NEC reaffirmed their commitment to the provisions of the Ohanaeze constitution; to the effect that it is the turn of Rivers State to produce the next president- general for Ohanaeze Ndigbo come January 2025,” the statement partly read.
Earlier, the Alaigbo Development Foundation issued strong warning against any attempt to deny Rivers State the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the January 2025 elections.
ADF in a statement signed by its President, Nze Coleman Chukwudelunzu, unequivocally stated that those who try to undermine the Ohanaeze Constitution and manipulate its affairs are “enemies number one of the Igbo Nation”.
The ADF emphasised the importance of maintaining the constitutionality of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, particularly in the January elections.
“Whoever wants to deny our brothers in the Rivers State their right to produce the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an enemy of Ndigbo and the Igbo Nation. We must resist them.”
