- Chukwu stated that the statement in which these claims were made did not come from Ohanaeze, stating that it is a mischief of those he called “street urchins”.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, says reports claiming it told Peter Obi to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race are false and misleading.
The group also debunked allegations that it urged northern leaders not to support Obi’s presidential ambition, describing these claims as ignominious.
The group refuted the claims in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu.
Chukwu stated that the statement in which these claims were made did not come from Ohanaeze, stating that it is a mischief of those he called “street urchins”.
“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 said.
“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.”
Chukwu noted that the statement was the handiwork of a group he described as “clandestine starving street urchins who parade a phantom, ludicrous brown-envelope Ohanaeze, with POS as their address”.
He emphasised that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under the leadership of credible figures such as Senator John Azuta Mbata (President-General), Prince Okey Nwadinobi (Deputy President-General), and Emeka Sibeudu (Secretary-General), could not have issued such an “ignominious” statement.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is committed to the well-being of the Igbo nation and national development through justice, fairness, and equity,” the group reiterated.
“We remain non-partisan and have not taken any position on the 2027 presidential election or endorsed any candidate.”
The group urged the media and the public to disregard statements from “incurable mercenaries unconscionably parading the Ohanaeze brand to execute the pecuniary bidding of their political paymasters