Dr Richard Ozobu-led 2025 Election Committee for a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, declared Dr Jackson Omenazu from Rivers State as the new President General, and other members of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation.

The declaration came as the Indigenous Igbo in Rivers State (IIC), on the the hand, threatened to boycott the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation’s election billed for January 10, if their demand to allow only recognised and registered Igbo members to contest the presidency was not considered.

The declaration of Omenazu as PG by a faction is contained in a statement signed by Ozobu and the Committee Secretary, Prof Chibuikeya Achokawa. It said the new leadership emerged unopposed.

According to the statement by the factional electoral committes, Omenazu from Rivers State was elected as President General, with Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro from Abia State as Deputy President General.

Other NEC members, according to the statement, are: Abbas Chinedu (Secretary General); Chief Chinenyeze Thompson Ohia (National PRO/Spokesman); Ambassador Kingsley C. Ekwenye (National Vice President General, Anambra); Chief Alexander Chikalue Okemiri (National Vice President General, Ebonyi); Sylvester Nwogu, National Vice President General, Imo); and Prof Iheanacho Agboti, National Legal Adviser.

The statement, obtained by our correspondent, quoted Omenazu as vowing in his acceptance speech to resist attempt by desperate politicians to hijack the Igbo body.

While noting that his emergence was in accordance with the 2004 Ohanaeze Constitution, he stressed: “It is the rightful turn of indigenous Igbo of Rivers State to occupy the position of Ohanaeze President General.

But making reference to the January 10 date fixed for the Ohanaeze election by another faction, the Indigenous Igbo in Rivers State also warned that it would be difficult to unite the entire Igbo indigenes in Rivers State, comprising the Ekpeyes, Ndoni, Ndoki, Egbema, Opopo, among others, with the central Igbo in the South-East region, if Ohanaeze Ndigbo failed to hearken to their demand.

The group specifically kicked against the candidacy of the former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, saying he was not a registered member of the Igbo community in Rivers State.

Speaking in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the President of IIC, Chimenu Amadi., urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo not to foist anyone on them, but allow them to decide who would occupy the position.

“We have contestants, who are members of Indigenous Igbo Community, except the candidacy of Mike Okiro; he is not our member.

“If you are an indigenous Igbo of Rivers State, you should be a member of IIC, if you are not a member, then you are disqualified for the election. IIC is the body housing the entire Igbo indigenes of Rivers, including the Ekpeyes, Ndoni, Ndoki, Egbema, Opopo, if you are not a member, it means you are not with us.”

Similarly, the Vice President of the group, Okere Azubuike, said the Igbo in Rivers had done a lot to support and associate with the central Igbo and urged Ohanaeze not to foist anyone on them.