Rev. Obinna Akukwe, a prominent activist and the Director General of the Igbo Mandate Congress, has called for the postponement of the upcoming election scheduled for Friday, January 10, at the National headquarters of the organization in Enugu. His plea comes as a means to allow for a peace agreement to be reached among the four aspirants vying for the position of President General. The candidates are Chief Mike Okiro, Dim Uche Okwukwu, Chief Jackson Omenazu, and Chief Fyneface Amaechi. Akukwe has expressed concerns that the election, if held as planned, could lead to a “cataclysmic implosion,” referring to potential internal conflicts within the organization.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja to the leaders of the Igbo Mandate Congress and some concerned Igbo clerics, Akukwe stressed that a delay in the election would allow the aspirants to come to a peaceful resolution and avoid any major fallout that could destabilize the organization. As a respected investigative journalist and human rights activist, Akukwe is known for his advocacy for peace and unity among the Igbo people, and his call for the postponement reflects his deep concerns for the integrity of the election process.
Akukwe also addressed the recent zoning of the President General position to Rivers State, which he welcomed as a positive development. According to him, the decision aligns with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo constitution, which dictates the rotational leadership of the organization. However, he expressed concern over the potential monetization of the election, calling for the non-adoption of the Option A4 strategy, which he feared could be exploited by external actors, whom he referred to as “foreign merchants.” He accused these individuals of potentially hijacking the election and selling positions to the highest bidders, undermining the integrity of the process.
In addition to his remarks on the election, Akukwe made a significant announcement regarding his own political ambitions. He declared his interest in running for the position of Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which has been zoned to Anambra State. Akukwe expressed his desire to run for the position as part of his broader goal to re-position the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization and strengthen its role in advocating for the interests of the Igbo people.
He also highlighted some of the pressing issues facing the Igbo community, stating, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be for Ndigbo,” and condemning the current situation where individuals follow the sit-at-home orders issued by some groups, despite opposition from Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Akukwe pointed out that such actions, including shutting down markets and businesses, result in significant economic losses for the Igbo people, costing billions in revenue every week. He emphasized that this was detrimental to the well-being of the Igbo community and should be addressed through stronger leadership within Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
It is important to note that Chief Jackson Omenazu, one of the four aspirants for the position of President General, had previously been elected as a factional President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, further complicating the current situation and contributing to the need for a peaceful resolution as suggested by Akukwe.
Through his call for a peaceful resolution, delay of the election, and his stance on reforming Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Akukwe aims to bring greater cohesion to the organization and ensure that the leadership transitions in a manner that truly benefits the Igbo people.
