The impending election for the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a prominent socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria, has been plunged into legal limbo following a court order demanding the maintenance of the status quo. Scheduled for January 10, 2025, the election is meant to select a successor to the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, whose tenure, currently being fulfilled in an acting capacity by Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, is due to expire on the same date. The organization’s decision to have Rivers State produce the next President-General, a move aimed at solidifying the state’s recognition as part of the Igbo nation, has ignited discussions and debates surrounding the group’s definition of inclusivity and representation. This context of pre-election tension set the stage for the legal challenge that has now brought the electoral process to a standstill.
The legal challenge was initiated by Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, a former governor of Imo State, who filed suit number E/01M/2025 against Ohanaeze Ndigbo and several of its key figures. The defendants include the acting President-General, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; the Secretary-General, Ambassador Okey Emuchay; and other prominent members such as Chief Ejiofor Onyia, Engineer Chidi Ibe, Mazi Okechukwu Ishiguzoro, and Chief Richard Ozubu. Ohakim’s suit, presented before Justice N.R. Oji of the Enugu High Court, contests the planned election, arguing for a halt to the process until the court can fully address the issues raised in his application. The details of Ohakim’s specific grievances and the grounds for his legal challenge have not been explicitly disclosed in the available information, further adding to the air of uncertainty surrounding the election.
On January 3, 2025, Justice Oji heard arguments from Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, counsel for Dr. Ohakim. Subsequently, the judge issued an order mandating all parties involved to maintain the status quo ante bellum, effectively freezing any further actions related to the election pending the determination of a motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction. This legal maneuver essentially suspends the electoral process temporarily until the court can hear and rule on the motion for an injunction, which seeks to prevent the election from proceeding altogether. The court’s intervention has introduced significant doubt as to whether the election will take place as scheduled or be postponed indefinitely.
The court order also addressed the matter of serving the motion on notice to the defendants. Recognizing potential difficulties in directly serving all the defendants, the court granted the applicant, Dr. Ohakim, permission for substituted service. This means that instead of personally serving each individual, the motion on notice could be posted at the entrance gate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s headquarters in Enugu. This provision ensures that the defendants are duly notified of the legal proceedings even if personal service proves challenging. Furthermore, the court granted an order for the abridgement of time, expediting the hearing of the motion on notice to January 7, 2025, a mere four days after the initial hearing.
The rapid scheduling of the hearing underscores the urgency of the matter and the court’s recognition of the potential disruption to the planned election. The hearing on January 7 will be pivotal in determining the fate of the election. Justice Oji will consider the arguments for and against the interlocutory injunction. If the injunction is granted, the election will likely be suspended, potentially for a significant period, while the underlying issues raised in Ohakim’s suit are addressed. Conversely, if the injunction is denied, the election could proceed, albeit possibly with some adjustments to the timeline to accommodate the legal proceedings.
This legal challenge throws into sharp relief the existing tensions within Ohanaeze Ndigbo, highlighting underlying disagreements about representation, inclusivity, and the proper procedures for leadership selection. The court’s intervention has added another layer of complexity to an already sensitive situation, leaving the future leadership of the organization and its direction in a state of uncertainty. The outcome of the January 7 hearing will have significant implications for the future of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and its efforts to represent the interests of the Igbo people. The decision will shape the organization’s trajectory and influence its ability to effectively address the challenges and opportunities facing the Igbo community in the coming years.
