Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has distanced itself from a purported “Igbo Day” event scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, describing the gathering as unauthorised.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, in a statement signed by its Global Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, warned members of the public against associating with the event, saying it neither authorised nor endorsed the programme.
The organisation said the development was particularly concerning amid the ongoing political season, accusing unnamed individuals of attempting to exploit the name and identity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for personal or political purposes.
It stressed that it would not permit the unauthorised use of its name, logo or institutional platform for activities inconsistent with its principles and values.
The warning followed a stakeholders’ meeting with members of the Abuja (FCT) Chapter, where the Global Executive Council also took steps to resolve longstanding issues within the chapter.
As part of the effort to restore peace and unity, the national leadership inaugurated an independent Electoral Committee to conduct a fresh general election for the FCT Chapter.
The national delegation from the 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.
Mbata urged members to maintain peace, unity and commitment to the collective interests of Ndigbo.
Nwadinobi said the electoral committee had been mandated to conduct a credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful election free from external interference.
The election has been fixed for Saturday, October 24, 2026, while the committee is expected to publish the electoral guidelines within two weeks.
The seven-member 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.
Ohanaeze also directed each of the six recognised groups in the FCT Chapter to nominate one representative to the electoral committee.
In a further move aimed at ensuring a peaceful process, representatives of the six groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing themselves to the peace pact, the electoral process and all resolutions reached at the meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Onuoha thanked the national delegation for its intervention and pledged that the committee would discharge its responsibilities with diligence and impartiality.
Several Igbo leaders at the meeting, including Chief Ibe Nwosu, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, Barr. Onwu O. Arua, Chief Andrew Ugwu, Odozi Nwodozi, Igwe Raymond Ugwuagbo, Henshaw Ogubike, Mrs. Esther Ezeji and Chief Ifeanyi Nwaka, reportedly commended the initiative and pledged their support for the peace and electoral process.
