Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said that, notwithstanding the level of performance of incumbents, there could not be tenure elongation beyond constitutionally allowed term limits for executives of the socio-cultural organisation.
A statement by Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of the pan Igbo organisation said that this position particularly addresses issues being raised concerning the forthcoming election of a new executive for the Lagos state branch of the body.
OHANAEZE PRESS RELEASE
The attention of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to diverse views being expressed by various Igbo patriots in Lagos State with respect to Tenure Elongation or Second Term for the incumbents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Among the issues deliberated upon at the NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, held on Wednesday February 2, 2022, was the oncoming election in the Lagos State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. It was resolved among others that the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is supreme and will be strictly applied in conducting the election in Lagos State. For the avoidance of doubt, the Ohanaeze Constitution provides for a rotation of Presidency and other offices among the Igbo speaking states, namely Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers in alphabetical order for a 4-year tenure.
It has become very imperative to address such issues as early as possible to avoid an unnecessary bitterness in the build up to the forthcoming Ohanaeze election in Lagos. The Internet is already awash with avalanche of calls for tenure elongation beyond the stipulated tenure of four years. Such incendiary aspiration, if not nipped in the bud is capable of bringing the entire Igbo in a bad light.
There is no gainsaying the accomplishments of the current executives. However, it will be ill-advised, imprudent and self-destructive to deploy such accomplishments in the breach of the age-long Ohanaeze constitution.
The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Ambassador Professor George Obiozor advises all the patriotic sons and daughters of Igbo resident in Lagos to have the image of the Igbo in mind by taking rational and edifying decisions.
Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
