The Rivers State Igbos’ aspiration to provide the subsequent President-Normal of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo on January 10, 2025, has gained important momentum following endorsements from key stakeholders emphasizing adherence to constitutional provisions.
It might be recalled that notable conventional rulers and members of Ime Obi Ohanaeze, together with former Secretaries-Normal from Anambra, Enugu, Delta, and Ebonyi, have affirmed that Rivers State will rightfully declare its constitutional entitlement, including that the assertion is predicated on Article 11 of Ohanaeze’s structure, which mandates the rotation of the President-Normal place among the many seven member states.
The decision for Rivers State to provide the subsequent President-Normal follows the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, the eleventh President-Normal of Ohanaeze NdiIgbo, on July 25, 2024, at 81.
In a associated improvement, the Ijaw Nationwide Congress (INC), reacted to a communique issued by Livingstone Wechie, which declared Rivers Ndi-Igbo’s readiness to provide the subsequent President-Normal.
Reacting to this improvement, the INC, in an announcement by its Nationwide Publicity Secretary, Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha, cautioned Ohanaeze NdiIgbo towards meddling in Rivers State affairs.
The INC emphasised its dedication to Nigeria’s unity and said it will not cede its territory to any ethnic group, together with Ohanaeze NdiIgbo or Afenifere, within the occasion of a nationwide breakup.
He defined that the declare by the Igbo apex group that your complete Rivers State is an element and parcel of Igbo land, making the state one of many statutory member states of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is fake.
The INC spokesman famous that the Ijaw stay a majority ethnic group in Rivers State, with 10 native authorities areas.
Nonetheless, reacting to the INC assertion, the convener of Ọgbakọr Ndigbo na Rivers, Livingstone Wechie mentioned “We consider the Ijaw Nationwide Congress once they say their intent is to foster peaceable coexistence, and we share the identical dedication to concord. Nonetheless, we should respectfully make clear that our demand for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo just isn’t a matter that issues the Ijaw nation.
“Ndigbo have little interest in encroaching on territories belonging to different teams. Now we have been neighbours and associates to the ijaw for hundreds of years. They know our lands and our folks in addition to we all know their lands and their folks. Anybody who seeks to blur these clear traces is both uninformed or engaged in mischief.
“We should at all times do not forget that Rivers State is a multicultural and multi-ethnic state, with varied indigenous teams, distinct identities, and kindred ties. Our historic and organic connections run deep and aren’t boundaries to peaceable co-existence, however quite propellants for the follow of mutual respect.
“In the end our efforts will guarantee inclusivity and shared prosperity amongst all ethnic nationalities in Rivers State and past. We consider there may be certainly a brighter future for all Nigerians after we follow restraint, mutual respect and tolerance.”
