Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A former Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, has refuted media reports that he was making moves to succeed the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Ohakim who dismissed the media reports as fake news said he had no interest in Ohanaeze presidency.
The former Governor in a press statement Monday night, warned those behind the “defamatory publication” to stop linking him with such move.
He further said that as a member of Iwuanyanwu’s burial committee, his major preoccupation was how to give the late Ohanaeze helmsman a befitting burial.
According to him, it is un-Igbo, to talk about the succession of a deceased leader until after his burial.
Ohakim’s statement was personally signed by him and made available to Ikengaonline by his lawyer, Chief Aloy Ejimakor.
The statement read: “My attention has been drawn to a widely published media report linking me with a certain move in some quarters to install me as the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide; and as a result of which I have been inundated with inquiries from well-meaning Nigerians seeking for clarification.
“Despite the report’s baseless and defamatory nature, I am compelled to address this misinformation.
“Let me be clear: I have no knowledge of any plans to elect or appoint me as the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. No individual or group has contacted me, neither have I expressed interest in the position.
“Our beloved leader, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo, who headed the organisation till July 25, 2024, when he passed away, is yet to be laid to rest. As a member of the national burial committee, I am committed to ensuring that he receives a befitting farewell. It is customary among our people to refrain from discussing succession until after the departed hero is buried.
“I urge those spreading these malicious and reckless disinformation and bringing up the politics of Ohaneze Ndigbo at this stage to desist from it and allow Ndigbo mourn and reflect on the late Ahacjiagamba’s legacy, which brought peace and tranquility to our organization and Ala Igbo as a whole.
“I reiterate: I have no involvement in or interest in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidency at this time.”
