Ohanaeze Election Illegitimate, Declares IPOB's Nnamdi Kanu

Biafran political activist, Nnamdi Kanu has labelled the recently-held Ohanaeze Ndigbo Election which produced Ambassador George Obiozor as President-General "illegitimate".

Kanu, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) stated this in a Special Broadcast on Radio Biafra on Sunday. The broadcast was monitored by this reporter.

According to Kanu, the World Igbo Congress (WIC) is preferable to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a group he tagged "evil".

"The Ohanaeze election is illegitimate, and cannot be recognised anywhere in the world. Instead, I'm canvassing very seriously for World Igbo Congress to take over the affairs of doing what is socio-cultural of Igbo people," Kanu said.

"That is my preference, that World Igbo Congress should rise to the plate and do the needful.

"They must do the needful because Ohaneze will kill all of us. I'm telling you the truth.

"These people are evil.

"They have the money. They paid Vanguard Correspondent in Enugu. They paid Guardian Correspeonet in Owerri, to write...apex apex [sic].

"Meanwhile, we are all dying.

"The Fulanis have installed Obiozor as their stooge.

"I must make it very clear to all and sundry that we do not recognise Ohanaeze.

"World Igbo Congress should replace them immediately.

"They are nothing.

"The same way they used Zik (Nnamdi Azikiwe) against Ojukwu (Odumegwu), after composing the Biafran national anthem, Dr. Azikiwe jumped ship and joined Nigeria. Because they promised him that one day, he will be the Head of State.

"Some of you don't know that Azikiwe was supporting Biafra until he jumped ship.

"The same promise they made to Chief Obafemi Awolowo."

Obiozor was elected as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo after polling a total of 304 votes in the Ohaneze election that took place in Owerri, capital of Imo State over the weekend.

His emergence follows the tenure expiration of the Chief Nnia Nwodo-led executive of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

The Ohaneze election followed a motion by A. B. C. Nwosu, seconded by Ben Obi, dissolving the John Nwodo-led executive of the organization.

Thereafter, Gary Igariwey, the chairman of the Electoral Committee, said the committee had adopted an open process in the form of Option A4 for the balloting to promote the transparency and credibility of the process.

READ ALSO: Biafra: IPOB's Nnamdi Kanu Likens Self To Jesus, Muhammad

However, three of the contestants – Chukwunyere Nwaebo, Goddy Uwazuruike and Uju Okoro – stepped down for Obiozor before voting began.

The electoral committee had said three of the eight persons who picked the nomination form did not return the forms. They were Chidi Osuagwu, Chris Asoluka, and Joe Nworgu.

That left only two contestants in the race – Obiozor and Valentine Oparaocha.