A fresh wave of controversy has engulfed the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, following the contentious election of its new President-General, Senator John Azuta Mbata. The Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC), a prominent advocacy group, has outrightly rejected the outcome, accusing Southeast governors of manipulating the process to install their preferred candidate.
In a statement made available to journalists, IMC’s Director-General, Rev. Obinna Akukwe, decried the alleged political interference, describing the election as a “charade orchestrated to undermine the collective will of the Igbo people.”
According to Rev. Akukwe, the venue for the election was kept secret until the eleventh hour, with delegates only informed on the morning of the polls that the event would take place at the Old Governor’s Lodge in Enugu. He alleged that access to the venue was tightly controlled by security operatives acting on orders from the governors.
“The venue of the election was kept top secret till Friday morning when delegates were informed it would hold at the Old Governor’s Lodge. At the lodge, police and DSS officials controlled access using lists of delegates pre-approved by the governors,” Akukwe alleged.
The group further claimed that the governors had influenced the delegate selection process to ensure their loyalists dominated the voting pool.
“Delegates selected by the governors and their cronies were asked to assemble at the Ohanaeze headquarters to collect accreditation tags and loyalty payments. Some delegates were paid millions of naira, while others received hundreds of thousands, depending on their status,” the statement read.
Rev. Akukwe criticized the involvement of politicians, particularly the governors, in the leadership of Ohanaeze, warning that such interference undermines the organization’s core mission.
“We have consistently warned that the governors planned to hijack this process. This election has confirmed our fears. The integrity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an organization vital to the development and unity of the Igbo race, must not be compromised by political interests,” he said.
Adding fuel to the controversy, two factional groups within Ohanaeze Ndigbo have announced separate leaders as successors to the outgoing President-General, Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu. While one faction declared Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu as the new leader, another faction announced Chief Jackson Omenazu as its choice.
This dual proclamation has further deepened the crisis, with analysts warning that the divisions could weaken the organization’s influence and relevance at a time when the Igbo race needs a united front to tackle pressing socio-economic and political challenges.
The IMC also revealed behind-the-scenes drama involving other aspirants. The group alleged that the governors pressured retired Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, to step down for Senator Mbata. Okiro initially resisted, even holding a press conference to announce his withdrawal pending legal redress.
However, in a surprising turn, Okiro later appeared at the Ohanaeze headquarters for screening and reportedly urged his supporters to await a court judgment that would enable him to contest.
“The aspirants, exuding empty overconfidence, were baited, divided, and outflanked before the polls,” Rev. Akukwe remarked.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, established in 1976, serves as a unifying platform for the Igbo people, advocating for their cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and political representation within Nigeria. Its leadership is considered critical, particularly amid calls for restructuring Nigeria and addressing the marginalization of the Southeast region.
Historically, the organization has faced internal challenges, including accusations of politicization and external interference. Analysts suggest that the current crisis may reflect broader tensions between traditional socio-cultural institutions and political elites vying for control over regional narratives.
The IMC has called on all Igbo stakeholders to demand reforms that would insulate Ohanaeze Ndigbo from political interference.
“This is a call to action for all true Igbo patriots. The organization must be protected from political manipulation if it is to fulfill its mandate of championing the Igbo agenda,” Akukwe emphasized.
The group urged a return to transparent election processes and a commitment to unity, warning that further division could erode the organization’s credibility and effectiveness.
