The Global Executive Council (GEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has disowned a purported “Igbo Day” event reportedly scheduled for September 29, 2026, at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, warning the public against associating the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation with the programme.
Ohanaeze said it neither authorised nor endorsed the purported event and cautioned individuals against using its name, identity or institutional platform without approval.
The position was contained in a statement signed by Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, Global Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Sunday, September 6, 2026.
The organisation described the reported event as unauthorised and expressed concern over what it called attempts by some individuals to exploit the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, particularly amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ohanaeze said it would not permit the use of its institutional identity for activities inconsistent with its principles, standards and values.
The organisation reiterated its commitment to protecting its name and institutional platform from unauthorised activities capable of misleading members of the public or creating confusion about its official programmes and positions.
The clarification came as the GEC continued efforts to resolve the internal challenges within the Abuja (FCT) Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
On September 6, 2026, the GEC held a stakeholders’ meeting with members of the FCT Chapter in Abuja as part of efforts to promote peace, unity, reconciliation and stability within the chapter.
The national delegation from Enugu was led by the Deputy President General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, who conveyed the goodwill and message of the President General, Senator Azuta Mbata.
According to the statement, Mbata urged members of the FCT Chapter to embrace peace, unity and mutual understanding while placing the collective interests of Ndigbo above internal differences.
Nwadinobi disclosed that the principal mandate of the delegation was to constitute an independent Electoral Committee to conduct a fresh general election for the FCT Chapter.
He stressed that the committee must operate independently and without external interference while ensuring that the electoral process was credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful.
The fresh election has been scheduled for October 24, 2026, while the Electoral Committee is expected to publish the election guidelines within two weeks.
The election is expected to provide a new leadership framework and address the longstanding factionalisation and internal disputes within the FCT Chapter.
The Electoral Committee is chaired by Chief Ejiofor Onyia, with Ambassador Eddy Onuoha as Deputy Chairman and H.E. Emeka Sibeudu as Secretary.
Other members are Prince Okey Nwadinobi, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, Chief Charles Nkata, Esq., and Barr. Chizoba Iheka.
In addition, each of the six recognised groups within the FCT Chapter is expected to nominate one representative to the committee.
As part of efforts to secure a peaceful electoral process, representatives of the six groups signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), committing themselves to abide by the agreed peace pact, electoral process and resolutions reached at the stakeholders’ meeting.
Speaking on behalf of the Electoral Committee, Onuoha thanked the national delegation for its intervention and assured stakeholders that the committee would carry out its responsibilities diligently and impartially.
He also appealed for continued cooperation and support from the GEC and other stakeholders to ensure a successful electoral process.
Several prominent Igbo leaders who attended the meeting commended the initiative and pledged their support for the peace and reconciliation process.
They included Chief Ibe Nwosu (Igbo I), Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, Barr. Onwu O. Arua, Chief Andrew Ugwu, Odozi Nwodozi, Igwe Raymond Ugwuagbo, Henshaw Ogubuike, Esq., Mrs. Esther Ezeji and Chief Ifeanyi Nwaka, among others.
Ohanaeze said the stakeholders’ commitments and the planned October election were intended to restore unity, stability and confidence in the FCT Chapter while ensuring that the organisation’s institutional identity remained protected from unauthorised use.
