Ohanaeze Begins Search for New President-General, Election Slated for January 2025

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commenced consultations to select a new President-General following the demise of its former leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Chief Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on July 25, 2024, at the age of 82 after a brief illness, was buried on November 2, 2024.

During a meeting held on Wednesday at the organisation’s National Secretariat in Enugu, the National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to collaborate with South-East governors to ensure a seamless process for choosing Iwuanyanwu’s successor.

This decision was announced in a statement made available to NATIONAL TELESCOPE by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, who emphasized that, in accordance with the Ohanaeze constitution, the presidency of the group has been zoned to Rivers State.

The election is scheduled for January 2025.

The NEC tasked the Secretary-General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, with leading the consultation process.

This effort will involve South-East governors, Igbo senators, traditional rulers, town unions, clergy, stakeholders, and the wider Ohanaeze structures.

They are also expected to convene a meeting of the Imeobi Ohanaeze, the highest decision-making body, to set up an electoral committee for the election.

The NEC meeting, presided over by Ambassador Emuchay, opened with a minute of silence in memory of prominent Igbo figures who recently passed away, including Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and Onyeka Onwenu.

Members praised Ambassador Emuchay’s leadership and passed a vote of confidence in him.

This motion was moved by Chief Chukwuemeka Udodeme, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State, and seconded by Chief Emeka Festus Ogwu, Vice President-General for Delta State.

The NEC also commended Senator Ben Obi and the National Burial Committee for successfully organizing Iwuanyanwu’s funeral.

Additionally, they acknowledged the support and cooperation of the South-East Governors Forum, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.

In his remarks, Ambassador Emuchay expressed gratitude to the Igbo community for their unwavering support.

He appealed for continued unity and assured members that the January 2025 election would be transparent and successful.