Rivers State To Produce Next Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide President

By Charles Igbo

An accomplished politician and Community Leader, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, has been crowned the new President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Chukwu, from Imo State, was confirmed as the new Leader by the highest organ within Ohanaeze, Imeobi at a meeting in Enugu on Saturday December 14, 2024.

However, his tenure will be brief. He would vacate the seat in January 2025 when Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide would hold an election to produce its next President.

In keeping with the constitution of the Group, Rivers State is billed to produce the next President.

Chukwu was crowned to complete the tenure of Imo State following the passing of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the immediate past President. Chukwu is the third President from Imo State who will now complete Imo State’s turn, after the passing of Professor George Obiozor and Iwuanyanwu who was crowned to complete Obiozor’s tenure.

These disclosures were made in a communique after the Enugu meeting signed by Amb. Okey Emuchay, Ohanaeze’s Secretary General and  Dr. Chiedozie Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary.

Following is the full text of the Communique.

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY OHANAEZE NDIGBO WORLDWIDE IMEOBI/GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN ITS MEETING OF SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2024 AT THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OF OHANAEZE, NO. 7 PARK AVENUE, GRA ENUGU

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Imeobi/General Assembly today Saturday December 14, 2024, held its scheduled meeting at the National Secretariat, No. 7 Park Avenue, GRA Enugu, the aim of which was to review the series of events that have taken place since the tragic demise of Chief Dr. Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR.

The Imeobi, which was attended by notable Igbo leaders, took note of the chain of catastrophe which has visited Ohanaeze in the last couple of years especially the successive demise of two Presidents-General between 2022 and 2024.

The Imeobi, extensively reviewed the situation and took note that the tenure of Imo State in the presidency of Ohanaeze would expire on January 10, 2025 and that there is need to allow Imo State to complete her remaining 27days in office. The Imeobi, therefore, resolved as follows:

1. That it accepts the request by Imo delegates to nominate someone capable to oversee the leadership of Ohanaeze until 10th January 2025 when a new President-General will be elected based on the constitutional provision of Ohanaeze Ndigbo

2. That the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo shall be followed strictly in the election of the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

3. That the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide shall come from Rivers State as provided in the constitution.
4. The Imeobi also resolved that the composition of both Election and Screening Committees for the forthcoming Ohanaeze election is the function of the NEC

Flowing from Resolution No.1 and in line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imeobi adopted the nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu by Barrister C.J Ihemedu, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Imo State; and HRM Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, the Chairman, Council of Elders, Imo State. The motion was seconded by Chief Simon Okeke (Ochendo), amongst others.  This motion was unanimously adopted through a voice vote by the Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as the new President-General of Ohanaeze at the Imeobi was subsequently presented to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide General Assembly.  The State Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers States, expressed delight over the nomination of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as the new President-General until January 10, 2025. The Chairman of the South East Caucus in the National Assembly,

Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe expressed satisfaction over the emergence of Chukwu.

Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu was therefore sworn-in as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by National Legal Adviser, Barrister Joseph Obinamma  Ojobu and the Assistant Legal Adviser Dr. Peter Aneke.

That the President-General of Ohanaeze, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu and the National Executive Committee should compose the Electoral and Screening Committees on Sunday December 15, 2024.

The Southeast Governors’ Forum, represented by H.E Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, charged the new President-General to ensure that the forthcoming Ohanaeze election should be both transparent and credible.

E-Signed

Amb. Okey Emuchay, MFR
Secretary-General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

Rt. Hon. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Ph.D
National Publicity Secretary
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide