Breaking: Former IGP Mike Okiro Withdraws from Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General Contest

Former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro has withdrawn from the race to occupy the position of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Okiro made the announcement during a press briefing in Enugu on Thursday.

He hinged his decision on the order of an Enugu State High Court barring him from contesting in the election.

It could be recalled that the court had given an injunction barring the former Police Chief based on a suit before it which claimed that he (Okiro) is from Imo State and not Rivers where the position was zoned to.

In adherence to the order, Okiro has now announced his withdrawal from the race.

The full text of his press briefing below:

“My dear brothers and sisters, I, Sir Mike Okiro CFR, President General Candidate for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Election slated for 10th January, 2025 address you today with unwavering resolve.

“I have been made aware of the Enugu State High Court’s interim order, which regrettably restrains me from contesting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Presidency General Election tomorrow.

“The court order, based on alleged non-indigene status, contradicts verifiable facts. It is unfortunate that the court did not invite me or heard from me before giving that obnoxious order which I got from the media. The facts are (a) That I hail from Egbema in Rivers State as shown by my National Population Commission Attestation of Birth. (b) My Traditional Ruler, the Nzeobi of Egbema, has also confirmed my indigene status of Rivers State. (c) I have written many books where my indigeneship of Rivers State is shown in the author’s column. A good example is my best seller, titled: “Nigeria: The Restructuring ‘Controversy”. (d) Page 6 of my biography written by Mr. Dozie Okebalama also shows my indigeneship of Rivers. (e) I have attended many Imeobi meetings where I represented Rivers State in the attendance list compiled by the Secretary-General. (f) As a student in the University of Ibadan, I was a member of the Rivers State Students’ Association, where I was elected as Treasurer, and another Great UIte, now Distinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu was elected as Secretary. (g) I was representing Rivers State during the meetings of the South-South People’s Assembly under our respected leader, Chief Edwin Clark, where Prof. Pat. Utomi, another Great Nigerian, represented Delta State. My records and credentials speak for themselves.