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Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elects Nze Fidelis Chukwu As President-General
The appointment follows a tumultuous period for Ohanaeze, marked by the deaths of two successive leaders.
Enugu State– Nze Fidelis Chukwu from Imo State has been elected as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Igbo people.
This development was confirmed in a communiqué issued after the Imeobi and General Assembly meeting held on Saturday in Enugu.
The statement, signed by the Secretary-General, Amb. Okey Emuchay, outlined Chukwu’s brief tenure, which will run for 27 days, concluding the Imo State leadership term on January 10, 2025.
The appointment follows a tumultuous period for Ohanaeze, marked by the deaths of two successive leaders.
Prof. George Obiozor, the former President-General, passed away in 2022, prompting the swearing-in of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on April 30, 2023.
However, Iwuanyanwu’s tenure was cut short by his death on July 25, 2024, and his burial on November 1.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emuchay stated: “In accordance with the doctrine of necessity, the Imo State Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Mr. C.J. Ihemedu, presented Nze Chukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to complete the remaining four years of the tenure allocated to Imo State.”
He added that the motion to adopt Nze Ozichukwu was introduced by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of the Imo Council of Elders, and seconded by Chief Simon Okeke.
“Following the doctrine of necessity, the Imeobi unanimously approved the nomination of Chukwu as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with the motion being passed through a voice vote,” he said.
The State Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers States expressed their approval of Chukwu’s nomination as the new President-General, serving until January 10, 2025.
He further noted that Chukwu was sworn in as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide by National Legal Adviser, Mr. Joseph Ojobu, and Assistant Legal Adviser Dr. Peter Aneke.
Emuchay added that the Southeast Governors’ Forum, represented by Gov. Peter Mbah, urged the new President-General to ensure that the upcoming Ohanaeze election is transparent and credible.