Why Ohanaeze Ndigbo United Kingdom Inaugurated Transition Committee

Following apparent irregularities that marred the recent election of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo United Kingdom, Azuka Benson and Bennett Onwuzurike write that a transition committee has been constituted to guide the organisation for a three-month period

Answering the clarion call and in response to the widespread outcry of Ndigbo in the UK over the numerous irregularities that marred the recent Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK election held on November 20, 2021, the General House comprising of Ndigbo in the UK under the umbrella of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, rising from a duly convened and constituted meeting in London on Saturday, December 11, 2021 has resolved to acknowledge the widespread outcry of Ndigbo in the UK and take cognisance of the numerous irregularities that marred the Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK November 20, 2021 election.

Therefore, it has decided to adopt in its entirety, the independent opinion and advice of the Forum for the Advancement of Igbo Race – ‘FAIR’ (copy available on request), over the numerous irregularities that flawed the purported election as detailed in the referenced document.

The General House also notes specifically that contrary to the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, only two delegates were allowed to vote from pre-selected Ohanaeze Affiliate Members Organisations (AMOs), clearly disenfranchising other delegates on trumped up allegations that the AMOs are splinter groups of state unions.

Taking cognisance of these irregularities, the General House unanimously agrees that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK election of November 20, 2021 is repugnant to the constitution and convention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, as well as repugnant to the culture of Ndigbo which has recently been adjudged to be the cradle of democracy.

In order to correct these abnormalities, the General House unanimously declared the Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK election of November 20 unconstitutional, null and void. Consequently, a five-man Transition Committee was immediately inaugurated to manage the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK for an interim period of three months, with a mandate to advise and conduct a credible election.

The Transition Committee of Ohanaeze Nidigbo UK includes Dr Azuka Benson – Chairman, Dr Bennet Onwuzurike, Secretary, Chief Charles Anyanwu, Mr. Chris Dike and Mr. Uche Kay
It was resolved and mandated that all properties belonging to Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK in whatever form and wherever located must be surrendered to the Transition Committee with immediate effect.

The support of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK Women Wing and the Youth Wing was commended and both wings were urged to continue to give their unalloyed cooperation to the Transition Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK.

The General House acknowledges and emphasises that Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK as a designated Diaspora chapter similar to the Nigerian state structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, is a non-partisan and non-sectarian pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation designed to provide a platform, where Ndigbo within the UK may come together for the purpose of nurturing better understanding and harmonious relations amongst themselves and with other ethnic groups in the UK, as well as with all communities worldwide.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK further pledged its full support to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and urged them to accord the Transition Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, all necessary support and advice in its quest to rebuild and reposition Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK as a reckoning force for progress in the global comity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.