|By Adejumo Adekunle
…Group disowns fake statement targeting northern support
…Insists it remains non-partisan, focused on Igbo interest
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the foremost Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has debunked reports claiming it asked former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to abandon his 2027 presidential ambition.
The group also denied ever advising northern leaders not to support Obi’s candidacy, describing such reports as falsehoods concocted by impostors using its name to mislead the public.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, said the organisation had been alerted to a “mischief-driven” post spreading on social media.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been alerted to a misleading report circulating on social media alleging that the apex Igbo body warned Mr. Peter Obi against contesting the 2027 presidential election,” the statement read.
“It also claimed that Ohanaeze cautioned the North against backing his candidacy. We wish to categorically state that such a mischief-driven and misleading statement did not emanate from the dignified apex Igbo body.”
Dr. Chukwu blamed the misinformation on what he called “clandestine starving street urchins” who parade a fake Ohanaeze outfit, saying their base of operation could best be described as a “POS address.”
He emphasized that the real Ohanaeze Ndigbo, currently led by credible individuals such as Senator John Azuta Mbata (President-General), Prince Okey Nwadinobi (Deputy President-General), and Emeka Sibeudu (Secretary-General), remains focused on protecting Igbo interests and promoting national unity through equity and justice.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is committed to the wellbeing of the Igbo nation and national development through justice, fairness, and equity,” Chukwu stated.
He further clarified that the organisation remains non-partisan and has not endorsed any candidate or taken a position ahead of the 2027 elections.
Urging the media and the public to disregard such falsehoods, the statement called on Nigerians to be wary of “incurable mercenaries unconscionably parading the Ohanaeze brand to execute the pecuniary bidding of their political paymasters.”
