The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has strongly warned former President Olusegun Obasanjo against involving himself in the upcoming election for the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation.
In a statement issued on Sunday, IPOB made it clear that the election is an internal matter for the Igbo people and should not be influenced by anyone outside the Igbo community.
IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, issued the warning following reports that some members of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo organization were planning to seek Obasanjo’s intervention ahead of the leadership vote, which is scheduled for January 2025.
The group stated that any efforts to bring Obasanjo into the process would be a betrayal of the Igbo people’s interests and a violation of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution.
“It is our belief that the election of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General must follow the provisions of their constitution,” said Powerful. “It is the turn of the Igbos in Rivers State to produce the next president, and we will not allow anyone to sabotage this process.”
The election, according to IPOB, is not just about choosing a leader but ensuring the unity of the Igbo people, who are spread across various regions, including Anambra, Abia, Imo, Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers states.
The statement continued, emphasizing that Ohanaeze Ndigbo must remain true to its mission of uniting the Igbo people, irrespective of their regional affiliations.
“The constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo clearly states that the next President General should come from Rivers State. We expect all efforts to focus on ensuring that a qualified and credible individual from Rivers is elected,” the IPOB statement said.
Powerful’s message is aimed directly at what IPOB calls “misguided individuals” within Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who, according to the group, are trying to manipulate the process in favor of other regions. IPOB claims that some members are attempting to amend the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution to exclude Igbos from other regions, particularly those from Rivers State, from contesting for the presidency.
The Biafran group’s statement made it clear that IPOB would not tolerate any interference in the election process. The group reiterated that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be chosen by the Igbo people, without outside interference.
“IPOB has been at the forefront of efforts to unite Ndigbo across various states, and we will not allow anyone to divide us,” the statement emphasized. “If Obasanjo or anyone else attempts to intervene, they must understand that their actions will have consequences.”
IPOB warned those considering approaching Obasanjo to reconsider their actions for their own good. The group declared that Obasanjo, a Yoruba man and former president of Nigeria, had no right to influence the internal affairs of the Igbo people.
“Obasanjo must stay out of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s affairs,” Powerful said. “No Yoruba group has ever come to Igbo land to ask for our help in solving their problems. It is shameful for anyone to seek an outsider to intervene in an Igbo matter.”
The statement from IPOB was a direct call to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers, and elders in Igbo communities to take a stand against external interference. According to IPOB, it is the duty of these leaders to settle any internal differences and ensure the election is conducted fairly and in accordance with the established rules.
“If any individual or group insists on bringing Obasanjo into the leadership election process, they should remain in Otta Farm and never return to Igbo land,” IPOB declared.
The group made it clear that anyone found attempting to alter the election process would be held responsible for any consequences that followed. IPOB emphasized that a majority of qualified individuals from Rivers State are capable of leading Ohanaeze Ndigbo and should be given the opportunity to do so.
“The people of Rivers State have more than 75% of the capable candidates to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” the statement concluded. “We will not allow anyone to deny them their right to lead.”
