Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Faces Fresh Crisis Over Iwuanyanwu’s Successor

Owerri, Nigeria – A new crisis is brewing within the Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, as the group grapples with the succession of the late President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

This comes on the heels of the death of his predecessor, Chief George Obiozor, in 2022, who had himself assumed office amid controversy.

The crux of the current dispute lies in the alleged violation of the organisation’s constitutional succession order, with various factions vying for control.

Dr. Valentine Iheukwumere Oparaocha, who came second in the 2021 presidential election, has raised the alarm over what he describes as a “plot to undermine the succession order” and impose a new leader without due process.

In the 2021 election, sixteen individuals contested for the presidency of Ohanaeze, each paying a N500,000 fee for the nomination form.

While late Chief Obiozor was declared the winner, Oparaocha emerged as the runner-up, with accusations of electoral irregularities swirling around the process.

Following Obiozor’s death, Iwuanyanwu, who was not elected but rather appointed by a select group of leaders, assumed the presidency.

Now, with Iwuanyanwu’s recent passing, the “Group of Key Igbo Associations Worldwide” has announced their recognition of Dr. Kingsley Dozie, the former vice-president, as the acting president.

This move has been vehemently opposed by both Oparaocha and the Ogbako Ndi Igbo Nile (ONN), an Igbo association based in the United States.

They argue that the constitution of Ohanaeze clearly mandates the deputy president general, Chief Jackson Omenazu, to succeed the president in the event of his death.

The “Group of Key Igbo Associations Worldwide” justifies their actions by citing Article 13 of the Ohanaeze constitution.

However, both Oparaocha and ONN argue that the constitution does not recognize the position of “acting president” and that this move is a blatant attempt to circumvent the established succession protocol.

Furthermore, ONN criticizes the group for undermining the rights of Igbo people from Rivers State, as Omenazu, the rightful successor, is from the state.

They point out that, according to Ohanaeze’s constitution, no Igbo person, regardless of status or location, is superior to another.

Oparaocha, for his part, emphasizes that he should have been considered for the position as the runner-up in the 2021 election.

He also argues that Imo State, the state that traditionally holds the position of president, should not be disregarded.

He is demanding that he be allowed to complete the tenure of Imo State, which he claims has been unfairly curtailed by the recent events.

The ongoing crisis has drawn concerns from various quarters, with calls for peace and unity within the Ohanaeze organisation.

Leaders and stakeholders are urging the various factions to engage in constructive dialogue and find a resolution that upholds the constitution and respects the will of the Igbo people.

The future of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo hangs in the balance as the organization grapples with these succession issues.

The outcome of this crisis will have a significant impact on the unity and influence of the Igbo community.

This report highlights the key points of the article but leaves room for further investigation and contextualisation.