Global Igbo leaders urge Ohanaeze to postpone election by 3 months over Covid-19

Igbo leaders from around the globe have urged the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to postpone the forthcoming Ohaneze Ndigbo election coming up on 10th January, 2021, by three months.

The call was made after an Emergency Zoom meeting held on 3rd January, 2021, by the global Igbo leaders.

The attendees arrived at the decision after a holistic review of the impact of Covid 19 and matters that are daily unfolding in respect of the forthcoming Ohanaeze Ndigbo elections.

The resolution, signed by Igbo leaders from several countries, was contained in a joint communique by the global Igbo leaders on 3rd January over Ohaneze Ndigbo election and communicated to:

• Ime Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo
• President General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo
• Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretary General, Barr. Uche Okwukwu
• Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Electoral Committee, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey
• Chairman Ohanaeze Ndigbo Electoral Committee, Prince Richard Ozobu

Concerning the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Election slated for 10th January 2021, it was revolved as follows:

The Global Igbo Leaders after an Emergency Zoom meeting held on 3rd January 2021 holistically reviewed the impact of Covid 19 and matters that are daily unfolding in respect of the forthcoming Ohanaeze Ndigbo elections; revolved as follows that:

The tenure of the current National Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in terms of the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo must end on the 10th Jan 2021.

In view of the health hazards associated with Covid-19 and limitation of lock down measures; the confusion generated by the duplicity of outgoing Ohanaeze Ndigbo and their allies; and pursuant to the desire of Ndi Igbo to maintain unity in Ohanaeze and Igbo nation, we recommend that the 10th January 2021 election of Ohanaeze National Executive Council be postponed.

As a result, we therefore recommend that a properly constituted Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee be established to run the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from the 10th of January 2021.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee must be charged with full Executive powers but must not include any of the outgoing National, State, Local Executives as member.

The Caretaker Committee to serve for a maximum of 3 months and renewable for a further 3 months should it become necessary due to Covid 19 lockdown measures; within which time  it must in turn constitute an Electoral Committee to be ratified by Ime Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo in order to conduct a safe, free, fair, and credible elections of the National, State and Local Government Executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Furthermore, and in view of the Covid 19 potential implications, an electronic voting system is to be considered for implementation during the first 3 months period of the tenure of the Caretaker Committee.

We urge the Caretaker Committee and the Electoral Committee when constituted to take into account the resolutions and recommendations of the Global Igbo Leaders, and those of other Pan Igbo organizations, the Youths organizations and concerned Igbo individuals as well.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, we must emphasize that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is the Apex Igbo organization that was established to serve the purpose of every Igbo, should we allow it to fail, it would have a damaging and adverse consequence to the psyche of every Igbo person.

This is indeed a battle for the soul of the Igbo nation.

We must not allow Ohanaeze Ndigbo to either split into factions or be captured by undesirable elections.

The Igbo nation is a significant integral part of the federation much as other federating units; should any damage be done to its Sociocultural organization, it surely must affect the unity and faith, peace and progress of the entire country.

Signed:

Prof Timothy Uzodinma Nwala
Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) Nigeria

Prof Anthony Ejiofor
World Igbo Congress (WIC) USA

Dr. Festus Okere
Igbo World Assembly (IWA) Worldwide

Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze
Chief. Christian Onuorah

Chief Oliver Nwankwor
Nzuko Umunna (USA and Nigeria)

Prof Chika Moore
Ngozi Odumuko

Ben Allison
Ndi Igbo Canada

Ekwe Nche USA

Luke Nwannunu
Igbo Board of Deputies (Worldwide)

Barr. Austin Okeke
Mazi Obi Okoli
Council of Igbo Communities UK

Barr Alex Coker Ezeamakam
Aka Ikenga Nigeria

Ogbuefi Delly Ajufo
Council of Igbo Leaders UK

Mazi Obi Okoli
European Igbo Communities (EIC) Europe

Chief Oliver Nwankwor

Barr Alex Coker Ezeamakam

Nkata ndi Iyom Igbo (Nigeria and UK)
Iyom Josephine Anenih
Mrs, Regina Amadi

One Voice UK
Mrs Joy Ukaegbu
Mrs. Eunice  Onwuamaegbu

Women Support & Mediation Group UK
Mrs. Amaka Agbai

Council of Igbo States in America (CISA) USA
Mazi Amadiebube Mbama

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