Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has denied reports of a leadership tussle in the group following the death of its former President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
According to the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, “There is no leadership row or tussle in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide at present, and there is not likely to be one in the near future.”
Ogbonnia emphasized that the group’s National Executive Committee is seamlessly carrying out its functions under the administrative competence of the Secretary General, Amb. Okey Emuchay.
He also addressed claims of a leadership struggle, saying, “Iwuanyanwu passed quietly on July 25, and it is very ill-advised and strange for an Igbo to begin to claim the position of the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, even when the burial committee for Iwuanyanwu is yet to be constituted.”
Regarding a letter circulating about Dr. Jackson Omenazu’s nomination to replace the late Joel Kroham, Ogbonnia stated, “However, such a letter was not made available to the NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”
He further clarified that the NEC would not adopt a replacement based on a mere letter from Rivers State, especially since many individuals involved are “ambivalent and sceptical about their Igboness.”
Ogbonnia concluded by saying, “Omenazu has all the right to pursue his interest as the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo come January 2025 without bringing Ohanaeze Ndigbo to disrepute.”
