Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has distanced itself from a purported “Igbo Day” event reportedly scheduled to hold on September 29, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, describing the event as unauthorised.
According to a statement signed by the Global Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation said it neither authorised nor endorsed the event and urged members of the public not to associate with it.
The organisation issued the warning after a stakeholders’ meeting with members of the Abuja (FCT) Chapter, expressing concern over alleged attempts by individuals to exploit its name and institutional identity for personal or political purposes.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide did not authorise, endorse, or have any hand in the so-called ‘Igbo Day’. We urge the public to disregard it and refrain from associating with it,” the organisation stated.
Ohanaeze said it would not permit the unauthorised use of its name, logo or institutional platform for activities considered inconsistent with its principles and values.
Meanwhile, the organisation has constituted an independent Electoral Committee to conduct a fresh general election for its FCT Chapter as part of efforts to restore peace, unity and stability within the chapter.
The national delegation from Ohanaeze Ndigbo headquarters in Enugu was led by the Deputy President General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, who conveyed the goodwill and directives of the President General, Senator Azuta Mbata.
Nwadinobi said the committee was mandated to conduct a credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful election free from external interference.
The FCT Chapter election has been fixed for Saturday, October 24, 2026, while the Electoral Committee is expected to publish the election guidelines within two weeks.
The committee is chaired by Chief Ejiofor Onyia, with Amb. Eddy Onuoha as Deputy Chairman and H.E. Emeka Sibeudu as Secretary. Other members are Prince Okey Nwadinobi, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, Chief Charles Nkata, Esq., and Barr. Chizoba Iheka.
In addition, the six recognised groups within the FCT Chapter are expected to nominate one representative each to the Electoral Committee.
As part of measures to ensure a peaceful electoral process, representatives of the six groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing themselves to the peace pact, the electoral process and the resolutions reached at the stakeholders’ meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the Electoral Committee, Amb. Eddy Onuoha thanked the national delegation for the initiative and assured stakeholders that the committee would discharge its responsibilities with diligence and impartiality.
Several prominent Igbo leaders who attended the meeting commended the initiative and pledged their support for the peace and electoral process. They included Chief Ibe Nwosu (Igwe I), Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, Barr. Onwu O. Arua, Chief Andrew Ugwu, Odozi Nwodozi, Igwe Raymond Ugwuagbo, Henshaw Ogubike, Esq., Mrs. Esther Ezeji and Chief Ifeanyi Nwaka.
