The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, on Wednesday, urged the former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, to summon his wisdom and decisively reject any propositions enticing him to assume a non-existent role as President General of the organisation. Ohanaeze added that it would rather support his re-election as Governor of Imo State.

In a statement obtained by The Guardian in Abakaliki, the Secretary-General of the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, warned Ohakim to tread carefully.

He cautioned that deceitful political elites had previously misled two prominent elder statesmen from Imo State, leading to their political downfalls.

The statement said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is currently in a transitional period as stipulated by its constitution, with the General Election scheduled for January 10th and 11th, 2025. It added that the presidency has been zoned to Rivers State.

The statement read: “With less than 90 days remaining before the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Election, set for January 10th and 11th, 2025, it is essential for us to issue a resolute warning about the covert manoeuvres allegedly orchestrated by two governors from the Southeast.

“This press release responds to recent developments involving unpatriotic entities conspiring to lure Chief Ikedi Ohakim, a former Governor of Imo State, into a position of undue influence within Ohanaeze Ndigbo. We implore Chief Ohakim to summon his wisdom and decisively reject any proposals enticing him to assume a non-existent role as president-general of our esteemed organisation.

“We reiterate that the failures of leadership over the years remain a collective burden, and we urge him to channel his capabilities back into the political arena—whether as Governor for a single term, Senator, or even in higher offices such as Vice President or President of Nigeria. However, we will support his re-election as Governor of Imo State.”