IPOB rejects ex-IGP Okiro, backs Rivers for Ohanaeze leadership
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Tuesday endorsed Rivers State to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rejecting calls for former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, from Imo State, to assume the role.
The position of President-General became vacant on July 25, 2025, following the death of Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu at age 82. With the Igbo apex sociocultural group seeking Iwuanyanwu’s successor, some stakeholders have argued that Rivers State is due to lead.
IPOB, joining the debate, emphasised that for equity, the position should go to Rivers State. The group also urged Okiro not to contest, accusing unnamed figures in Imo State of using a fabricated endorsement by a group called Ogbako Egbema to push Okiro’s candidacy.
In a statement, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful warned that such moves could disrupt Igbo unity and tarnish Okiro’s reputation. He reaffirmed that the presidency of Ohanaeze is zoned to the Igbo in Rivers State.
“The attention of the noble family of IPOB, led by our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the purported endorsement of Mr. Mike Okiro by a faceless group supposedly called ‘Ogbako Egbema’ for him to contest for the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“It is evident that some influential individuals in the Imo State government are behind this move to tarnish Okiro’s reputation and destabilise Ohanaeze Ndigbo, just as they have sought to destroy Imo State. This faceless group is working on behalf of the enemies of Ndigbo, whose goal is to disorganise Alaigbo.
READ ALSO:
Group tells Okiro to withdraw from Ohanaeze race, “you are from Imo,” not Rivers
“These individuals cannot override the legitimate right of Rivers State to produce the next President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. While many well-meaning organisations are actively advocating for the unification of all Igbo territories—from Igbanke to Isoko—others are determined to perpetuate the divisive narratives of our adversaries, portraying Igboland as irreparably fragmented,” the statement said.
IPOB urged Okiro not to “permit himself to be manipulated into disrupting the cohesion of the Igbo race.”
It said, “The President-General position is reserved for Rivers State Igbos. Okiro, who previously contested against the late Prof. George Obiozor during Imo State’s turn, lost that election.
“Anyone or group attempting to involve Okiro in this contest against Rivers State Igbos is deliberately provoking trouble. IPOB will respond appropriately to any such provocation.”
The statement further declared that IPOB would no longer tolerate political manipulation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s leadership.
It called on Igbo governors and politicians to allow the organisation to function as a respected socio-cultural body rather than as an extension of the South-East Governors’ Forum.
“Any attempt to manipulate the outcome of the forthcoming election to exclude or deny Rivers State Igbos their rightful opportunity will be firmly resisted by IPOB. Those responsible for such actions will be held accountable. The era of allowing Ohanaeze Ndigbo to serve as a tool for the enemies of Ndigbo to control our political destiny is over,” IPOB said.
