Ohanaeze Ndigbo Appoints Ozichukwu Chukwu, Interim President-General Following Iwuanyanwu’s Demise

Enugu, Nigeria – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has appointed Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as its interim President-General.

This appointment, announced following a unanimous decision at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Imeobi/General Assembly meeting on Saturday, December 14th, 2024, in Enugu, ensures the continuity of leadership until January 10th, 2025.

The move comes in response to the recent passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the previous President-General.

His death, coupled with the loss of other prominent leaders in recent years, prompted the Imeobi to address the situation and ensure the smooth transition of leadership.

The communiqué released after the meeting highlighted the need to allow Imo State, Iwuanyanwu’s state of origin, to complete its tenure, which was set to expire on January 10th, 2025.

Imo State delegates nominated Chukwu, a nomination subsequently accepted unanimously by the Imeobi and General Assembly.

The appointment is explicitly temporary, with the communiqué affirming that the next President-General, as per the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution, will come from Rivers State.

The communiqué, signed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s Secretary-General, Amb. Okey Emuchay, and National Publicity Secretary, Rt. Hon. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, PhD, outlined the key resolutions: acceptance of Imo’s nomination, adherence to the Ohanaeze constitution in the upcoming election, the selection of the next President-General from Rivers State, and the National Executive Committee’s responsibility for forming the election and screening committees.

Several dignitaries attended the meeting, including representatives from various South-Eastern states and the South East Caucus in the National Assembly.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe expressed satisfaction with Chukwu’s emergence, while Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, representing the Southeast Governors’ Forum, urged a transparent and credible election process.

Chukwu was immediately sworn in and tasked, along with the National Executive Committee, with forming the electoral and screening committees by Sunday, December 15th, 2024.

The appointment of Chukwu represents a short-term solution to ensure organizational stability while the process of selecting a new, permanent President-General proceeds according to the organisation’s established rules.