Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has named an indigene of Imo State, Nze Fidelis Chukwu as its new President-General.
The announcement was made in a communiqué released after the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Imeobi and General Assembly meeting held on Saturday in Enugu. The document, signed by the Secretary-General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, confirmed Chukwu’s appointment.
Chukwu’s leadership will serve for 27 days to conclude Imo State’s tenure, which ends on January 10, 2025.
His emergence follows a series of tragic events within the organization, beginning with the death of Prof. George Obiozor in 2022. Subsequently, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu assumed leadership on April 30, 2023, under a “doctrine of necessity.” However, Iwuanyanwu passed away on July 25, 2024, and was laid to rest on November 1.
“In line with the doctrine of necessity, the Imo State Chapter of Ohanaeze, led by Mr. C.J. Ihemedu, presented Nze Chukwu to the Imeobi Ohanaeze to exhaust the balance of the four-year tenure allotted to Imo State,” Emuchay explained.
The motion to adopt Chukwu’s nomination was moved by Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, Chairman of the Imo Council of Elders, and seconded by Chief Simon Okeke.
“The Imeobi unanimously adopted the nomination through a voice vote,” Emuchay added.
State presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers expressed their support for Chukwu’s appointment. He was subsequently sworn in by the National Legal Adviser, Mr. Joseph Ojobu, and the Assistant Legal Adviser, Dr. Peter Aneke.
The Southeast Governors’ Forum, represented by Governor Peter Mbah, urged the new President-General to prioritize a transparent and credible election process for Ohanaeze’s future leadership.