As the battle for who wears the crown of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo president,IPEC has warn that the candidature of Okiro(Formal IGP) does not follow the Constitution of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo since he hails from imo State.
The Igbo Province Executive council passes vote of no confidence on the coming Ohaneze election; advices Rivers contestant to reconsider their candidacy.
The council maintains that featuring a candidate from the south East in an election whose slot is for Rivers state damages the founding principle of Ohaneze aimed at equity and curbing over politicking hence the rotational presidency.
The council noted that while by Nigerian constitution, it may be considerate for citizenship to be affiliated to the mother’s state, however in Igboland, citizenship is patrilineal (attached to the father) and Ohaneze is going the part that will put many unique aspect of Igbo culture to a test.
The Okpara concept is strong in Igboland. It is only in few Igbo communities that a man is allowed to take up the citizenship of the mother’s community and that is usually when the bride price of the mother is not paid and even at that the said son can’t aspire for certain position in the mother’s community. Again, a candidate with strong ties with the south East will definitely have an upper hand in an election where southeast is responsible for over 80% of the voters.
The council also recognizes the right of full rivers contestants to go ahead with the election if they so desires but noted that they stand no chance against a veteran like former ISP of Nigerian police from Imo state irrespective of how one chose to look at it.
The council cautioned Ohaneze’s Ime Obi to go back to the drawing board and consult elders of AlaIgbo before taking a step that may undermine the very fabric of our culture and threaten the integrity of the institution (Oheneze) due to politics.
The institution also advised against inflammatory statements as the fragile peace in AlaIgbo needs to be preserved. For those who prefer to continue with the contest, best wishes, those who feel aggrieved may use appropriate channels to seek redress.
