Igbo Women Assembly Urges Okiro to Step Down for Ohanaeze Presidency, Advocates Equity for Rivers State

The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has called on former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, to withdraw from the race for President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, citing concerns for peace and equity in Igbo land. The group insists that the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should rotate in accordance with established policies, with Rivers State being the rightful candidate for the position.

Addressing a press conference during the inauguration of the IWA Abia State chapter and the United Nations Mother Tongue Committee in Umuahia, National President of IWA, Nneka Chimezie, emphasized that the leadership role in Ohanaeze should either be held by a representative from Rivers State or, if the people of Rivers are not ready, should return to Abia State. Chimezie pointed out that Okiro, who is from Imo State and not Rivers, should honor the principle of regional rotation and step aside for fairness.

“Mike Okiro is from Imo State, not Rivers. His elder brother is an Eze in Egbeme, Imo State. He should do the right thing and withdraw from the race,” Chimezie said.

The IWA leader also decried the over-militarization of roads and communities in the South East, which she argued was contributing to the mass exodus of youth from the region. She criticized claims that Igbos do not sell land to people from other tribes, warning of legal action against veteran journalist Reuben Abati unless he withdrew or apologized for his controversial remarks.

Chimezie further raised concerns over the declining health of the Igbo population, urging citizens to embrace natural foods and abandon harmful dietary practices. She lamented the rapid decline of the Igbo language and culture but assured that IWA was working to reverse this trend by establishing language schools and promoting self-rediscovery efforts to preserve the Igbo heritage.