The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has refuted reports claiming it advised former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the group also denied allegations that it urged northern leaders not to support Obi’s presidential ambition.
Describing the reports as false and mischievous, Ohanaeze said the claims were being circulated by individuals it referred to as “street urchins” seeking to mislead the public.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been alerted to a misleading report circulating on social media alleging that the apex Igbo body warned Mr. Peter Obi against contesting the 2027 presidential election,” the statement read. “It also claimed that Ohanaeze cautioned the North against backing his candidacy. We wish to categorically state that such a mischief-driven and misleading statement did not emanate from the dignified apex Igbo body.”
Chukwu said the statement was the handiwork of a group he described as “clandestine starving street urchins who parade a phantom, ludicrous brown-envelope Ohanaeze, with POS as their address”.
He reaffirmed that the organisation, under the leadership of Senator John Azuta Mbata (President-General), Prince Okey Nwadinobi (Deputy President-General), and Emeka Sibeudu (Secretary-General), has not made any statement regarding the 2027 presidential election or endorsed any candidate.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is committed to the wellbeing of the Igbo nation and national development through justice, fairness, and equity,” the group stated. “We remain non-partisan and have not taken any position on the 2027 presidential election.”
