Court Bars Mike Okiro from Contesting Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidency, Clears Way for January 10 Election
By Omonu YG Nelson
A State High Court sitting in Enugu has issued an interim injunction restraining Ohanaeze Ndigbo from entertaining the candidacy of former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro in the upcoming election for President General, slated for January 10th, 2025.
This development has cleared the way for the election to hold as scheduled, despite the controversy surrounding the leadership of the organisation.
The court’s decision was in response to a motion filed by Barrister Chimenu Amadi, who argued that Okiro, being an indigene of Imo State, is ineligible to contest the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as only indigenes of Rivers State are eligible to aspire for the position. The court upheld this argument, issuing an interim injunction that bars Okiro from participating in the election.
Furthermore, the court also issued an interim injunction allowing the Nze Ozichukwu-Chukwu constituted electoral committee to conduct the election, while restraining some chieftains of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from interfering or disrupting the election.
According to Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, who filed the motion, there is a calculated bid to sow discord and disrupt the election by some elements who constituted a parallel body without lawful authority.
The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been marred by controversy in recent times, with another election committee, led by Chief Ejiofor Onyia, planning to conduct a parallel election.
This has raised concerns about the unity and legitimacy of the organization. However, with the court’s interim injunction, it appears that the election will proceed as scheduled, with the Nze Ozichukwu-Chukwu committee conducting the polls.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo is set to elect its next President General on January 10th, 2025, following the expiration of the tenure of late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. Iwuanyanwu, who died a few months ago, was replaced by Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, who will preside over the affairs of the group until the election.
With the court’s interim injunction, the stage is now set for a smooth transition of power in Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The River State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide had in Novenber 2024 called for the support of other member states, saying it was its turn to produce the next President-General of pan Igbo group in accordance with Article 11 of the group. Article 11 of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide provides that the presidency shall be rotated amongst member states which includes Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Igbo speaking areas of Delta and River States.