Ohanaeze Disowns Unauthorised ‘Igbo Day’ Event in Abuja

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has distanced itself from a purported “Igbo Day” event scheduled for September 29, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, describing the programme as unauthorised.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation also warned members of the public against associating with the event or allowing its name, logo and identity to be used for activities it did not approve.

The organisation made its position known in a statement signed by its Global Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, following a stakeholders’ meeting with members of the Abuja (FCT) Chapter.

The Global Executive Council (GEC) said it was neither aware of nor involved in the planning of the purported event.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide did not authorise, endorse, or have any hand in the so-called ‘Igbo Day’,” the organisation stated, urging the public to disregard the programme.

The group expressed concern over alleged attempts by some individuals to exploit the name and identity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for personal or political purposes, particularly as the country approaches another political season.

It said it would not tolerate the unauthorised use of its name, logo or institutional platform for activities inconsistent with its principles and values.

Meanwhile, the organisation has constituted an independent Electoral Committee to conduct a fresh general election for its FCT Chapter as part of efforts to restore peace, unity and stability within the chapter.

The national delegation from the Ohanaeze 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.

The President General urged members of the organisation to prioritise peace, unity and 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 FCT Chapter election has been fixed for Saturday, October 24, 2026, while the committee is expected to publish the election guidelines within two weeks.

Members of the Electoral Committee are Chief Ejiofor Onyia, Chairman; Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, Deputy Chairman; H.E. Emeka Sibeudu, Secretary; Prince Okey Nwadinobi, member; Dr Ezechi Chukwu, member; Chief Charles Nkata, Esq., member; and Barrister Chizoba Iheka, member.

In addition, each of the six recognised groups in the FCT Chapter is expected to nominate one representative to the committee.

At the stakeholders’ meeting, representatives of the six groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing themselves to the peace pact, the electoral process and all resolutions reached.

Speaking on behalf of the committee, Ambassador Eddy Onuoha thanked the national delegation for its intervention and assured stakeholders that the committee would carry out its responsibilities with diligence, fairness and impartiality.

Several prominent Igbo leaders who attended the meeting commended the initiative and pledged their support for the peace and electoral process.

Among those present were Chief Ibe Nwosu (Igwe I), Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, Barr. Onwu O. Arua, Chief Andrew Ugwu, Odozi Nwodozi, Igwe Raymond Ugwuagbo, Henshaw Ogubike, Esq., Mrs Esther Ezeji and Chief Ifeanyi Nwaka.