Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has distanced itself from claims that it would participate in the inauguration of Bola Tinubu as the President-elect on May 29, 2023. The statement comes as a response to Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the spokesperson for a factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who had previously stated that Ohanaeze would fully participate in Tinubu’s inauguration. However, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, issued a statement clarifying that the claims were false and misleading.

Ogbonnia emphasized that the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is Ambassador Okey Emuchay and that Isiguzoro is a meddlesome interloper who exploits the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for personal interests. He urged the public to disregard such impostors who use the reputation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for their own gain. Ogbonnia further noted that silence on the matter might be misinterpreted, hence the need for a rebuttal.

The statement from Ohanaeze Ndigbo highlighted previous controversial statements made by Isiguzoro, pointing out the inconsistency of his claims. For instance, Isiguzoro had previously declared that an interim government was “satanic and unconstitutional” and pledged Ohanaeze’s support for Tinubu’s swearing-in. He had also claimed that Ohanaeze endorsed David Umahi’s ambition to become the Senate President and called for the inclusion of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in an impeachment threat on President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo stressed that it does not usually engage in partisan politics unless necessary and respects individual choices and political ambitions. However, implicating the organization in personal pecuniary interests is deemed unethical and criminal. The statement aimed to set the record straight, reiterating that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, under the leadership of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, did not issue any statement regarding Tinubu’s inauguration.

The organization expressed concern over the numerous misleading publications aimed at tarnishing the image of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Igbo ethnic group as a whole. It called on the public to be discerning and not fall prey to such unscrupulous acts.