NOTICE OF CHANGE OF VENUE OF 2023 IGBO DAY STILL HOLDING IN PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE…OHANAEZE NDIGBO

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has announced a change in the venue for the 2023 Igbo Day celebrations, originally scheduled to take place at Liberation stadium to a more secured venue still in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on the 28th and 29th of September 2023. This decision comes in response to intelligence and security reports suggesting a potential disruption of the event by paid hooligans and a southeast Governor with vested political interests.

The organization has been alerted to a plot aimed at thwarting and frustrating the election of the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from Rivers State, a move believed to be motivated by the political ambitions of certain individuals for the 2027 elections. This suspicion was further reinforced by media sponsorship of non-existent and faceless groups insinuating that the Igbo Day celebrations would be disrupted.

In light of these developments, the organization has decided to shift the venue of the Igbo Day celebrations to a more secure and restricted location. This is to ensure the safety and security of the attendees and to prevent any potential disruptions to the historic 2023 Igbo Day event.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is using this medium to inform the general public and Ndigbo both at home and in the diaspora about these changes. The organization is calling for support for the election of a new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, zoned to the Igbo-speaking area of Rivers State, slated for January 11th, 2025.

The organization has expressed its determination to resist any internal or external detractors who may attempt to fight against the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and deny Rivers State their turn. The collective will of Ndigbo is expected to prevail, as it did in 2009 when a similar scenario played out. At that time, it was the turn of Anioma, the Igbo-speaking people of Delta State, and despite initial opposition, late Ambassador Raph Uwechue (of blessed memory) was eventually elected as President General.

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and successful Igbo Day celebration and the fair election of its next President General. It calls on all Igbos to remain vigilant and united in the face of these challenges, and to support the organization’s efforts to uphold the principles of fairness, justice, and equity.

Mazi okechukwu Isiguzoro
Secretary General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide