SouthEast Govs Should Stay Away From Ohanaeze Leadership – Dr Paul Okoye

Ndi Igbo Royal Heritage Worldwide, NIROH, has frowned at the ugly exchanges trailing the recent elections within Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, which led to the emergence of Prof. George Obiozor as the President General, describing the involvement of partisan politicians in the process as inimical to the Igbo project.

In a statement signed by Dr. Paul Okoye, the President General of NIROH, he urged politicians with vested interests, especially the governors to stay clear of any process leading to the emergence of a leader for the group, while advocating that the enthronement of leadership in Igbo land should be left for the elders (Ime Obi Ndigbo) in consonance with Igbo norms and culture.

According to Okoye, “The outcome of such an election featuring contestants of tested integrity in the Igbo project was expected to present a winner who will represent the ideals of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. What we have today is an atmosphere of disenfranchisement. Who do we blame for this shameful position? Our contemporaries are somewhere watching and laughing at us. All intellectuals and technocrats in Igbo land are watching with utter embarrassment for this dismal outing. We in NIROH stand to express our concerns on matters concerning the Igbo nation. We have come to champion the unification of Ndigbo. To achieve this, we call for peace in all ramifications at all levels and settings. Our take is not to condemn anybody here but to simply say ‘Okenye adighi ano n’ulo, ehi anwuo n’obu’. Ndigbo cannot continue to borrow traditions strange to our culture. Election is foreign to us and will continue to divide us as we move from one generation to another. Let us return to the days of Ime Obi Ndigbo, where the right leader is appointed by the elders and accepted by the people. We frown at every intention to politicize the Igbo project.”

Okoye, further reiterated NIROH’s stand as non-partisan but geared towards the unification of Ndi Igbo everywhere on the planet. “Finally, our stand is that Ndigbo has to go back to the drawing board. Any election or appointment that is not generally accepted by the people should be reexamined. NIROH Worldwide is not tilted towards any political party or candidate in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo election. We are only concerned with peace and unity among Ndigbo worldwide. Ndigbo still has elders and leaders of thought and this class should stand up and play its role right away.”