Mike Okiro Withdraws from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidency Race Over State of Origin Dispute
Mike Okiro, the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has officially withdrawn from the race for the president-general position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the prominent Igbo socio-cultural group. This decision comes after a ruling by the Enugu State High Court, which barred him from contesting the position due to questions surrounding his state of origin.
In a statement made during a press conference in Enugu on Thursday, Okiro explained that the court’s decision was based on the claim that he is an indigene of Imo State, while the position of president-general had been zoned to Rivers State. Okiro, however, strongly disputed this claim, asserting that he is indeed from Rivers State, specifically from the Egbema region.
The court order, which was issued following a motion filed by Chimenu Amadi, a representative of the Indigenous Igbos of Rivers State, has sparked considerable controversy. The motion argued that Okiro, being from Imo State, should not be eligible for the position, which had been reserved for a Rivers indigene. Despite the legal setback, Okiro maintained that the court’s ruling contradicted “verifiable facts” about his origin.
In his public statement, Okiro provided a detailed defense of his roots in Rivers State. He highlighted several pieces of evidence to support his claim, including his National Population Commission Attestation of Birth, which affirms his status as a Rivers indigene. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Nzeobi of Egbema, his traditional ruler, had confirmed his indigene status, adding weight to his argument.
Okiro also pointed to his extensive personal and professional history in Rivers State. He recalled his active participation in the Rivers State Students’ Association while attending the University of Ibadan, where he served as Treasurer. Additionally, he referenced his involvement in various South-South People’s Assembly meetings, where he represented Rivers State. His contributions to literature, including his book “Nigeria: The Restructuring ‘Controversy’”, also mention his Rivers origin.
Despite his strong defense, the court ruling has led to mounting pressure for Okiro to step down from the race. Over the past few months, there has been growing controversy surrounding his state of origin, with some other contestants calling for his withdrawal. This legal development has now forced Okiro to comply, although he expressed regret that he was not allowed to present his case before the court made its decision.
In his closing remarks, Okiro lamented the lack of a fair hearing, emphasizing that he was only made aware of the court order through media reports. He reiterated that his credentials and personal history demonstrate his ties to Rivers State, and he remains confident that the truth will eventually prevail.
As the race for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidency continues, Okiro’s withdrawal has added another layer of complexity to an already contentious election. It remains to be seen how this development will affect the outcome and whether other candidates will seize the opportunity to contest for the position.
