2025 OHANAEZE ELECTION: OHANAEZE EXTENDS HANDS OF RECONCILIATION AND FRIENDSHIP TO NZE OZICHUKWU AND CHIEF EMUCHAY’S FACTION FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION AND UNIFIED ELECTION
By Okechukwu Isiguzoro
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural body, stands resolute in its commitment to restoring peace, unity, and integrity within our organization as we navigate the complexities surrounding the prolonged crisis that has plagued Ohanaeze Ndigbo since 2021. As we approach the critical Ohanaeze elections scheduled for January 2025, we are compelled to confront the unresolved issues and misleading narratives that have fostered factionalism within our ranks. It is essential for us to lay bare the historical dynamics that have contributed to our current state of division; only by acknowledging our past can we forge a path towards reconciliation and inclusivity as we approach this pivotal electoral moment.
SETTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT FOR POSTERITY’S SAKE*
The genesis of the challenges faced by Ohanaeze Ndigbo can be traced to a series of significant events dating back to 2017, particularly the conflict between then Former President General Nnia Nwodo and Former Secretary General Uche Okwukwu. At the heart of this discord was classified information alleging that former President Buhari was amenable to creating an additional state for the Southeast prior to the 2019 elections. This political prospect led Nnia Nwodo to establish a State Creation Committee, led by His Excellency Professor Chigozie Ogbu and Barrister Uche Okwukwu. However, the initiative was soon mired in controversy when it became clear that Nnia Nwodo’s personal preference for the creation of Adada State contradicted the unanimous vote by the Ohanaeze National Executive Council (NEC) for the creation of ABA State. This inherent conflict of interest became a formidable threat to our internal unity and ultimately unleashed a cascade of disagreements, escalating into a full-blown crisis within the NEC.
Compounding our challenges was Barrister Okwukwu’s principled stance against Nnia Nwodo’s unilateral decision to endorse Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 presidential race, asserting the need for Ohanaeze to maintain a neutral position amid a contest between two Fulani candidates. Following this, Nnia Nwodo opted for the unconstitutional suspension of Okwukwu on January 31, 2019, in clear violation of the 2004 Ohanaeze Constitution. This unconstitutional suspension which was overturned by a legal action, aimed to dismantle obstacles to Nnia Nwodo’s agenda for the Open Ohanaeze unapproved endorsement of Atiku in 2019 election but sowed seeds of discord that have since matured into a regrettable rift within our organization.
THE ORIGINALITY OF CONSTITUTIONAL BREACHES AND ILLEGALITIES IN OHANAEZE*
It is imperative to scrutinize the constitutional breaches that have marred the integrity of our organization and contributed to the perpetuation of factionalism. The elections of 2017 saw the former President General from Ebonyi State establish a disastrous culture that subverted the Ohanaeze Constitution, effectively placing Ohanaeze under the control of Southeast governors. This subservience has compromised our autonomy, making Ohanaeze dependent on political narratives crafted by governing elites rather than acting in accordance with the foundational principles established in 1976. The unceremonious replacement of then Secretary General,Barrister Okwukwu (from Rivers State)with an Abia State Person (Late Dr Solomon Ogunji) and later the then National PRO Prince Uche Achi Okpoga( from Ebonyi State) to unconstitutionally double as the Secretary-General was executed without adherence to the provisions set forth in Articles 10 and 11 of the Ohanaeze Constitution. Such actions have generated a culture of illegitimacy that led to dual and parallel Ohanaeze elections in 2021, one resulting in the emergence of Chidi Ibeh in Enugu State and the other producing George Obiozor in Imo State.
Since 2017, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has grappled with the absence of a properly constituted Imeobi membership—a deficiency underscored by a lack of a duly elected General Assembly. This void mirrors the unresolved tensions between competing factions, culminating in the contentious 2021 elections where the Obiozo-Iwuanyanwu-Ozichukwu-Emuchay faction confronted the Chidi Ibeh-led faction. This schism has laid bare the urgent need for a reinvigorated approach to governance within Ohanaeze.
OBIOZO/IWUANYANWU/OZICHUKWU VS. CHIDI IBE/ISIGUZORO-LED OHANAEZE NDIGBO*
The rift between the Obiozo faction and the Chidi Ibeh-led faction exemplifies the broader societal challenges confronting Igbo leadership. While the Obiozo faction garnered backing from specific Southeast governors and political elites, their legitimacy has been persistently challenged by grassroots constituents rallying around Engineer Chidi Ibeh. This divergence in support underscores a prevailing yearning for authentic representation and accountability—a crucial aspiration of our people and a fundamental tenet missing from our recent political engagements.
COLLEGE OF IGBO BISHOPS: MEDIATION EFFORTS
Subsequent to the contentious 2021 elections, the College of Igbo Bishops, a respected spiritual authority in Igbo land, endeavored to mediate the disputes between the factions led by Chidi Ibeh and George Obiozo. Under the stewardship of His Grace, Retired Catholic Archbishop Dr. A. Obinna, complemented by eminent figures like Anglican Archbishop Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma and Methodist Archbishop Dr. Chibuzo Opoko, this distinguished body met with both factions in separate sessions in Enugu. They meticulously formulated a series of College of Igbo Bishops recommendations aimed at reconciling the ongoing Ohanaeze crisis. Unfortunately, their efforts were met with dismissal from both Late Obiozo and Iwuanyanwu, who chose instead to employ extreme intimidation and aggressive tactics against their counterparts Engr Chidi Ibeh led Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Such actions starkly contradict the foundational principles of Ohanaeze and tarnish our legacy of Igbo dignity and respect.
### **A CALL FOR PEACE AND UNIFIED 2025 ELECTIONS**
In light of these developments, a recent conclave of the Ohanaeze Imeobi and Elders Council, convened in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on December 17 and 18, 2024, yielded a decisive resolution: a sincere hand of fellowship and reconciliation must be extended to Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu and Chief Emuchay’s faction to cultivate a unified approach leading into the January 2025 Ohanaeze elections. While the Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze has strived valiantly to initiate dialogue, the reluctance from Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu’s faction to embrace peace remains a pressing concern.
We, therefore, call upon eminent Igbo groups across the globe—including the Joint College of Igbo Bishops and Traditional Rulers, The Global Igbo Leaders, Anya Ndigbo Group, World Igbo Congress, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Europe, Izu Umanna Group, Ndigbo Lagos, Aka Ikenga Group, United Igbo Elders Council, World Igbo Assembly Group, Council of Igbo States in Europe, Ogbaako Ndibo Nile Group, and the Association of Igbo Town Unions—to stand united in advocating for a peaceful resolution to the strife arising from factionalism. Your collective voices can guide us toward a unified Ohanaeze in the 2025 elections and contribute to restoring stability and integrity within our organization.
Our organization is acutely aware that this hesitance to reconcile often springs from vested political interests, particularly as some external detractors, in complicity with local collaborators, appear resolved to negotiate Ohanaeze’s integrity for political leverage in the upcoming 2027 presidential elections. Thus, we earnestly appeal to every Igbo person, both within Nigeria and in the diaspora, to rally behind our call for reconciliation. We urge Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu and Chief Emuchay’s faction to accept the olive branch we extend to them. It is only through collective unity that we can bring an end to the insidious crisis that has beleaguered our organization and stride confidently into a fortified future.
Signed:
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Secretary General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo
08028597244
