The Igbo people of Rivers State, under the umbrella of Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo Na Rivers, have expressed their determination to lead the renowned Igbo apex organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Rivers Igbo stakeholders have reportedly begun nationwide consultations with prominent Igbo leaders to gain support for producing the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Despite being a statutory member state of the organization, Rivers State has not yet had the opportunity to lead it.
At a meeting held in Port Harcourt, the stakeholders issued a communiqué, signed by Livingstone Wechie, Convener of Ogbakor Ndi-Igbo Na Rivers, as well as other notable figures including Dr. Lucky A. Ekeji, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Rivers; Prof. Steve Wordu, Dimm Uche Okwukwu, Eze Fyneface Amaechi, Chief Jackson Omenazu, and High Chief Igo Okparamma, among others.
The communiqué stated, “that pursuant to Article 11 of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution, it is granted to Rivers State as of right, to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide come January 10, 2025.
This is in keeping with the constitutional rotation of the office of the President-General of the apex organization of Ndi-Igbo among the seven states.
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Rivers State is fully ready to take up this mantle to lead Ndi-Igbo Worldwide. Our sons and daughters are poised to actualize this statutory and historic assignment for the well-being and development of Ndi-Igbo all over the world.”
The stakeholders also outlined the local government areas in Rivers State—Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Oyigbo, Ikwerre, Emohua, Etche, Omuma, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni, Ahoada East, and Ahoada West—as being direct members of Ohanaeze.
They emphasized Rivers State’s unwavering support for other states to produce past leaders of Ohanaeze and reiterated their constitutional right to assume leadership at this time.
The communiqué further highlighted Rivers State’s contributions to the organization, including producing the Deputy Secretary-General, National Financial Secretary, Secretary-General, and Deputy President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in previous administrations.
The communiqué continued, “Now, therefore we appeal to Ndi-Igbo all over the world to stand by the Constitution of Ohanaeze and ensure that a free, fair, transparent, and credible election is conducted come January 2025 to elect National officers, President-General of Rivers extraction inclusive.
We strongly believe that strict adherence to the Constitution will bring about a harmonious, peaceful, and prosperous Ohanaeze now and in the future, particularly now that we as Ndi-Igbo face existential threats by internal and external forces opposed to our unity, survival, and development.”
