The Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC) has expressed strong opposition to the recently concluded election of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, held in Enugu. In a press release issued by its Director-General, Rev. Obinna Akukwe, the IMC accused Southeast Governors of manipulating the electoral process, resulting in the emergence of Senator John Azuta Mbata as the new President General of the pan-Igbo socio-cultural organization.
The group alleged that the Governors deliberately kept the election venue undisclosed to many stakeholders, an action they believe was part of a broader plan to influence the outcome. The IMC claimed it had previously warned that the Governors intended to install a Senator from Rivers State as the head of the organization.
In their statement, the IMC accused the Governors of tampering with the delegate list, ensuring that only their loyalists were included as potential voters. “The delegates selected by the Governors and their cronies were instructed to assemble at the Ohaneze Ndigbo National Headquarters to collect accreditation tags and loyalty payments,” the statement alleged.
The group further revealed that some delegates confessed to receiving substantial sums of money for their compliance. “Delegates disclosed to IMC officials that they were paid varying amounts—millions for some and hundreds of thousands of naira for others—depending on their status and level of loyalty. Payments were reportedly made via electronic transfers at the Ohaneze Secretariat, with additional disbursements taking place at the Old Governors’ Lodge,” the statement added.
Rev. Akukwe also disclosed that the IMC had issued prior warnings to candidates and relevant bodies, cautioning them about the alleged plans by the Governors to hijack the electoral process. “The Governors’ interference aimed to prevent certain candidates from ascending to leadership positions within the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization,” he stated.
The IMC claimed that the Governors made concerted efforts to force aspirant Mike Okiro to withdraw in favor of Senator Mbata. “Initially, Okiro resisted and announced his withdrawal until legal redress could be sought. However, he later appeared at the Ohaneze Secretariat, underwent screening at 10 PM, and directed his supporters to await a court judgment that might allow him to contest,” Rev. Akukwe explained.
The IMC called on all Igbo stakeholders to address the situation and ensure that the organization remains free from political interference. “Ohaneze Ndigbo is critical to the collective interest and development of the Igbo people. Its affairs must remain above political manipulation to preserve its integrity and mission,” the group emphasized.
In a related development, two factional groups within the Igbo socio-cultural organization have separately announced different candidates as successors to the outgoing President General, Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu. Dim Uche Nnam Okwukwu and Chief Jackson Omenazu were both declared as the new President General by the respective factions, deepening the leadership crisis within the organization.
The unfolding events have raised concerns among stakeholders about the unity and future direction of Ohaneze Ndigbo, with calls for urgent interventions to address the growing tensions and preserve the organization’s role as a unifying force for the Igbo people.
