Enugu State High Court Bars Former IGP Mike Okiro, From Contesting As President General Of Ohanaeze Ndigbo

The Enugu State High Court has barred the apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, from fielding former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro as an aspirant or contestant in the January 10 election to the office of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

This followed a motion filed by Chimenu Amadi for himself and on behalf of the Indigenous Igbos of Rivers State, asking the court to restrain Okiro from contesting the Presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the grounds that he is an indigene of Imo State, whereas only indigenes of Rivers State are eligible to aspire for the said position.

The court gave an interim injunction restraining Okiro on the grounds of ineligibility, with particular reference to his state of origin, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The court also issued an interim injunction authorising the Nze Ozichukwu-Chukwu constituted committee to conduct the election into the office of the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, slated for January 10, 2025, while restraining some chieftains of the group from interfering with or disrupting the election.

According to a motion filed by Aloy Ejimakor against some chieftains of Ohanaeze Ndigbo—Chidi Ibe, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Richard Ozubu, referred to as the 5th to 7th respondents—there is a calculated bid to sow seeds of discord, disharmony, lawlessness, and unrest by certain elements who have constituted a parallel body without lawful authority, as they intend to go against the constitution of the group by throwing the contest for the President-General’s office open to all.

Also, according to Article 11 of the mode of election to the office of the President-General, it ought to be rotational amongst the Igbo states and Igbo-speaking people of Delta and Rivers states.

The court issued an interim injunction for the status quo to be maintained in the matter, pending the hearing of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction.

DAILY POST reports that Ohanaeze Ndigbo will, on January 10, elect its next President-General following the expiration of the tenure of the late Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

Iwuanyanwu, who died a few months ago, was replaced by Fidelis Ozichukwu, who will preside over the affairs of the group until January 10, 2025.