Group tells Okiro to withdrawal from Ohanaeze race as post rotated to Rivers for peace and equity
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A group called Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has advised former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mike Okiro to withdraw his run for the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for peace and equity in Igboland, insisting he is from Imo, not Rivers whose turn it is to occupy the post.
IWA reiterated that Ohanaeze has agreed that Rivers should produce the President General in line with rotational policy or the office should be returned to Abia if Igbo- speaking Riverians are not ready to produce the person.
These demands were made by IWA in Umuahia at the inauguration of the Abia chapter and United Nations mother tongue committee of IWA.
IWA National President Nneka Chimezie said available official records confirm that Okiro is from Imo, and he cannot change his state of origin to Rivers because of his interest in Ohanaeze leadership.
“Mike Okiro is from Imo State. His elder brother is one of the Ezes in Egbeme in Imo State. I think he should do the right thing and withdraw from the race,” Chimezie demanded.
She also sought an end to the “over militarisation of the South East roads and communities,” causing youths to flee from the zone in large numbers.
Chimezie condemned claims that Igbos do not sell land to people from other tribes, and threatened that IWA would institute a lawsuit against Reuben Abati of Arise Television in the next 14 days unless he withdraws the statement credited to him or apologises.
She also raised the alarm over the decreasing life span of the Igbo population and counselled the people to eat natural foods and avoid junk foods and other practices that could destroy their body systems.
She lamented that Igbo language is fast disappearing and the culture declining. She disclosed that IWA has established Igbo language schools and embarked on self- rediscovery to save Igbo language and culture.
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