Amidst the recent controversy surrounding the state of origin of former Inspector General of Police Chief Mike Okiro(Rtd) as regards the Ohanaeze Ndigbo election, the Apex Socio-cultural Youth organization of Igbo race, the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), led by Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, has cautioned Ndigbo that Mike Okiro’s candidacy would hinder the progress made towards unity among Igbo ethnic groups in Nigeria by approximately 100 years.
It is on record that Mike Okiro(Rtd), a former Inspector General, enrolled in the Nigeria Police Force in 1977, with Rivers State as his initial state of origin, but it is indeed a fact that his present state of origin is Imo State.
It has come to attention that Chief Michael Mbamaonyeukwu Okiro, also known as Mike Okiro, is not originally from Rivers State, but rather Imo State. Nonetheless, he enrolled in the Nigerian Police Force under the Rivers State quota, likely due to the benefits resulting from the Biafra civil War. Although he may be perceived as a Rivers man in terms of his professional affiliation, having joined the Nigeria police, his actual village, community, and Local Government are all located in Imo State.
Following our exhaustive investigation, it was discovered that Chief Mike Okiro hails from Ogwumankwu village, Obiakpu community, Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State. Otu Egobueze is his age grade name, with Christopher Nze Umezuruike acting as secretary. Other prominent members of his age grade are Chief Clement Mmata, Mr. Owuamala Stephen, and Chief Toke Gilbert, etc. Historical records indicate that Chief Mike Okiro’s late younger brother, Eze Ozoemela Okiro, was the traditional ruler of Obiakpu community Egbema, Imo State.
The predominant concern among Ndigbo with regard to the controversy surrounding Chief Mike Okiro’s proposed candidacy by some dubious politicians is why did he indicate interest in running for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General position in 2021, during Imo’s turn, if he is from Rivers State.
According to the results of the investigation, Chief Mike Okiro was present at a meeting held at Chief Iwuanyanwu’s Class house in Owerri, alongside other presidential candidates from Imo State, such as Dr. Jeo Nworgu, Dr. Chris Asoluka, and Prof. George Obiozor, at the time it was the turn of Ndi Imo to produce president General Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
It is unfortunate that certain political cliques are now persuading Chief Mike Okiro, who had expressed interest and taken part in the harmonization meeting for presidential candidates for the office of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo during the constitutional transition of Imo state in 2021, to declare his intention to contest the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential election at Rivers state’s turn in 2025.
Chief Mike Okiro is facing pressure from certain political scavengers to abandon his principles and adopt a double standard, a move that would erode his personal integrity and bring discredit to the noble office of Ndigbo, the most respected and esteemed office in Igboland.
We are aware of the individuals, both internal and external, who are promoting Mike Okiro’s candidacy for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. These contractors have forfeited their right to rest or sleep and will not be allowed to do so in Igboland. We advise these opportunistic politicians to cease their self-destructive and divisive agenda against Ndigbo.
We strongly advise those responsible for sowing disunity in Igboland between our indigenous Igbo brothers and sisters in Rivers to halt their actions without delay or we will be forced to name them before Ndigbo and they will bear the brunt of such social evil in Igboland.
Given that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is analogous to an Ogbako Umunna, it is erroneous and unconstitutional for Mike Okiro, an attendee of Ogbako Umunna meeting in Ogwumankwu village, Obiakpu community, Egbema, Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Imo State, to have his police enrollment documents exploited by some political opportunists for an Ogbako Umunna Cultural organization position, similar to Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Those who comprehend the broader implications of the nativity/Igbo identity crisis on our Igbo brothers in Rivers state should diligently refrain from exacerbating the harm inflicted on the Igbo identity of Igbo individuals in Rivers state.
Those advocating for Chief Mike Okiro’s candidacy are indeed posing a substantial threat to Igbo Unity. In the event that the conspirators implement their plans, the controversy and crisis generated will persist for a hundred years, far exceeding the four-year tenure, and will have severe repercussions on social and political structures.
It is imperative that Igbo elders/leaders be mindful of the potential consequences of their actions and statements, which could lead to lasting divisions among the younger generation of Igbo people from Rivers State and other South-Eastern states.
Igbo youths are determined to prevent Igbo elders/leaders from perpetuating a mess that our generation will ultimately suffer from as a result of their selfishness, greed, and possessive plans for power and wealth.
Up until this point, Chief Mike Okiro has not made a personal declaration of his intention to run for President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and we respect his decision to reserve his options. However, if he eventually by persuasive accept to throw his hat into the ring or he’s is unconstitutionally imposed, the fallout will be severe and have far-reaching consequences in Igboland.
Signed
Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka
National President Ohanaeze Youth Council OYC
Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Nweke
Secretary General
6th January, 2025
