Ohanaeze Ndigbo Reaffirms Rivers State's Right to Produce Next President General in 2025

 

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has reiterated its commitment to Rivers State producing the next President General (PG) of the organization in January 2025. This decision is firmly rooted in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution, which grants Rivers State the right to this leadership role.

In a statement released on Tuesday by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, the group issued a stern warning against attempts by two Southeast governors and certain political leaders to interfere with this constitutional process. Isiguzoro emphasized that any attempt to bypass Rivers State’s rightful claim to the presidency will be strongly opposed by the organization.

Ohanaeze expressed appreciation to the global Igbo community for their participation in the 2024 Igbo Day celebrations, held on September 29. The event highlighted the importance of adhering to the organization's constitution, which explicitly states that Rivers State must produce the next President General.

The statement further stressed that preserving the unity of the Igbo nation depends on following the constitutional process. Any disruption, it warned, could have lasting negative consequences on the identity and cohesion of the Igbo people.

Ohanaeze also revealed that two Southeast governors, in collaboration with a former Nigerian Head of State from the Southwest and a prominent opposition figure from the 2023 presidential elections, are allegedly working to shift the presidency to Abia State. This coalition, along with external groups like the Pan Niger Delta organization, is seen as a calculated move to undermine Igbo unity and revive divisions from the Biafra War era.

The organization emphasized that the emergence of a President General from Rivers State is non-negotiable and must be respected. Ohanaeze condemned efforts to sponsor fake groups that deny their Igbo heritage, calling it an attempt to discredit the Rivers State candidacy.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Forum, led by Prince Dr. Richard Ozobu and Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, reaffirmed their commitment to upholding the constitutional rights of Rivers State, ensuring the process remains free from external interference.

In response to these challenges, Ohanaeze urged all Igbo communities and organizations to unite against both internal and external forces seeking to manipulate the situation. The organization underscored that the Igbo people are too sophisticated to be swayed by the political agendas of a few individuals, calling for solidarity in defense of the Rivers State candidacy.