The apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has insisted that the next President General of the group should be from Rivers State.
While calling for strict adherence to the provisions of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution, the group’s secretary general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, stated that it is paramount to recognize the constitutional right of Rivers State to produce the Office of the President General by the dates of January 10-11th, 2025.
He noted that it is both a duty and an honour that must be upheld with the utmost respect and integrity.
“The emergence of the President General from Rivers State through lawful and proper constitutional procedures is not merely a formal requirement; it is essential for fostering unity among the Igbo people,” he noted.
The statement continued: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo been alarmed by the conspiring efforts of two Southeast Governors, alongside a former military general who served as both a Head of State and President of Nigeria from the Southwest, a former 2023 presidential candidate from an opposition party, a notable chieftain of the Pan Niger Delta organization, and several other subversive elements.
“These actors are seemingly united in an effort to undermine the constitutional prerogative of Rivers State and usurp its rightful claim to the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, instead favouring an individual from Abia State.
“As vigilant observers of our historical narrative, we recognize the deeply entrenched implications of these actions.
“The former Head of State’s role in perpetuating the identity crisis within Igbo lineage and the Igbo-speaking areas of Rivers State, beginning with the conclusion and end of the Nigerian Civil War in 1970, cannot be overstated.
“Historical scrutiny reveals that certain factions, including the Pan Niger Delta representatives and their allies within the Ijaw leadership, are actively working behind the scenes to maintain the status quo established since the tragic conflict.
“They are motivated by an inherent fear that the emergence of an Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General from Rivers State might challenge and potentially rectify the divisions and discord that have persisted for decades, intricately woven by those in power who sought to sow seeds of disunity among our people.”
The group stated that the subversive schemes are driven by political machinations and the calculations surrounding the upcoming 2027 elections.
“Such a prospect is not only disheartening but poses a significant threat to the integrity and unity of the Igbo nation,” the group added.
Mazi Isiguzoro affirmed the organization will prioritize the constitutional rights of Rivers State to elect the next President General, adding that all external influences will be resisted.