The esteemed apex socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is honored to announce the critical formation of the National Elections Committee for the 2025 elections. This pivotal initiative is geared towards ensuring a seamless transition of leadership from Imo State to Rivers State by January 2025. The decision follows an influential meeting convened by the Ohanaeze Elders Council and the Concerned Statutory Imeobi Members in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, from the evening of December 17 to the afternoon of December 18, 2024. During this significant assembly, we collectively reinforced our unwavering commitment to upholding and enriching the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the indefatigable spirit of the Igbo people, whose unity and resolve in the face of challenges have been crucial in maintaining the integrity of our constitution. This collective determination has fostered a collaborative framework among stakeholders, thereby designating Rivers State as the birthplace for the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
In strict conformity with the provisions elucidated in Articles 10 and 11 of the 2004 Ohanaeze Constitution, we have meticulously assembled an 11-member Electoral Committee that is charged with the solemn responsibility of leading this electoral process. We are privileged to have Prince Dr. Richard Ozobu at the helm of this committee. Dr. Ozobu brings an exemplary array of credentials to his leadership role, including being a USA-trained Chartered Accountant, a former Deputy Board Chairman of the defunct Cooperative and Commerce Bank (CCB), a former Board Member of the University of Maiduguri, and a steadfast member of the Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo since 2000. His comprehensive expertise in financial management and governance is expected to galvanize this committee toward conducting transparent, credible, and fair elections.
The other distinguished members of this committee include:
- Professor Chibuikeya Achoakawa as Secretary of the Committee
This diverse ensemble of scholars, professionals, and respected leaders epitomizes a wealth of experience and prudence, effectively positioning them to guide Ohanaeze Ndigbo into a transformative era of leadership that authentically represents the voices and aspirations of Ndigbo both domestically and within the broader diaspora.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms its unwavering commitment to facilitating the work of this committee while guaranteeing their operational autonomy, free from any external influences. Our resolute objective is succinct: to oversee the emergence of a new National Executive Committee, with a President-General hailing from Rivers State.
In a recent address, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stated, “The successful conclave of the Ohanaeze Elders and Imeobi serves as a foundational pillar from which we anticipate our newly appointed National Electoral team to cultivate a vibrant and effective new leadership. Our confidence in this committee is deeply rooted in their capability to uphold our collective aspirations, facilitating a credible and widely accepted leadership unmarred by impositions from the Igbo political elite, particularly the Southeast Governors.”
We sincerely urge all Igbo governors and political leaders to honor the foundational charter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a socio-cultural organization. It is imperative that we extricate ourselves from being pawns in the political gamesmanship threatening our legacy. Alarmingly, we have observed numerous attempts by certain political actors to manipulate Ohanaeze Ndigbo for partisan interests, especially concerning the upcoming 2027 elections. This disconcerting trend must be unequivocally denounced. We must stand guard against any political subversion attempting to impose a candidate with tenuous connections to both Imo and Rivers States.
As we embark upon this crucial journey toward renewed leadership, we earnestly implore all Igbos, both within Nigeria and across the globe, to unite in unwavering support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s mission. Your voices, participation, and engagement are invaluable as we collectively strive to ensure that our organization’s legacy flourishes, enriching the cultural, social, and political tapestry of our great nation.
In solidarity and unwavering determination,
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Secretary General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo
