Okiro withdraws from Ohanaeze president-general race

A former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, has withdrawn from the race to lead the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The former IGP announced his withdrawal from the race at a press briefing on Thursday in Enugu State.

He said the decision to withdraw from the election slated for Friday was in compliance with a court ruling which stopped him from vying for the election to choose the next President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Justice N.R. Oji of the Enugu State High Court had on Tuesday barred Okiro from taking part in the election where the successor to the late former President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanywun, will emerge.

A group of concerned persons from the South-East had approached the court to stop Okiro because he hails from Rivers State and not Imo State which had been picked to produce the group’s next president-general.

Okiro said: “My dear brothers and sisters, I, Sir Mike Okiro CFR, President General Candidate for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Election slated for 10th January 2025 address you today with unwavering resolve.

“I have been made aware of the Enugu State High Court’s interim order, which regrettably restrains me from contesting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Presidency General Election tomorrow.

READ ALSO: IPOB warns former IGP Okiro against contesting Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidency

“The court order, based on alleged non-indigene status, contradicts verifiable facts. It is unfortunate that the court did not invite me or heard from me before giving that obnoxious order which I got from the media.

“The facts are (a) That I hail from Egbema in Rivers State as shown by my National Population Commission Attestation of Birth. (b) My Traditional Ruler, the Nzeobi of Egbema, has also confirmed my indigene status in Rivers State. (c) I have written many books where my indigeneship of Rivers State is shown in the author’s column. A good example is my best seller, titled: “Nigeria: The Restructuring ‘Controversy”. (d) Page 6 of my biography written by Mr. Dozie Okebalama also shows my indigeneship of Rivers. (e) I have attended many Imeobi meetings where I represented Rivers State in the attendance list compiled by the Secretary-General. (f) As a student in the University of Ibadan, I was a member of the Rivers State Students’ Association, where I was elected as Treasurer, and another Great UIte, now Bistinguished Senator Andrew Uchendu was elected as Secretary. (g) I was representing Rivers State during the meetings of the South-South People’s Assembly under our respected leader, Chief Edwin Clark, where Prof. Pat. Utomi, another Great Nigerian, represented Delta State. My records and credentials speak for themselves.

“As an Igbo man and elder statesman of Rivers State Extraction whose said position has been zoned to by the electoral committee, I believe in the rule of law and shall respect the court’s order.

“My Obedience to court orders, no matter how unfavorable, demonstrates our commitment to democracy. I believe in the principles of the rule of law as the rule of law ensures our collective progress.

“The rule of law safeguards our society; its principles must be upheld, our democratic values are non-negotiable, together we will emerge stronger. Our stance for justice, due process, and the rule of law shall vindicate us.

“I will not participate in any election pending the final determination of the matter before Hon Justice N.R Oji of Enugu State High Court which court gave the restraining order.”

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