Fidelis Chukwu, a former National Vice-Chairperson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-East, has been appointed the new president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He succeeds Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on July 25, 2024.

Chukwu’s appointment was confirmed during an Imeobi Ohanaeze meeting on Saturday in Enugu, as announced by the group’s spokesperson, Chiedozie Ogbonnia. Chukwu will serve for 27 days, completing the remaining tenure of Imo State, which ends on January 10, 2024. His appointment follows the deaths of two previous Ohanaeze presidents-general—George Obiozor in 2022 and Iwuanyanwu in 2024—events which Ogbonnia described as a “chain of catastrophe.”

Ogbonnia explained that Iwuanyanwu was initially appointed in April 2023 through the application of a “doctrine of necessity” to complete the tenure of Obiozor, who was from Imo State. After Iwuanyanwu’s death, Imo State, through its Ohanaeze leadership, nominated Chukwu to finish the remaining term.

During the meeting, Cletus Ilomuanya, chairperson of the Imo Council of Elders, moved a motion for Chukwu’s adoption, which was seconded by Simon Okeke and passed via a voice vote.

The Imeobi Ohanaeze also resolved that the next president-general of the organization would be selected from Rivers State. This decision was confirmed in a communiqué signed by Ogbonnia and Ohanaeze Secretary-General Okey Emuchay. Additionally, the communiqué noted that the National Executive Committee would be responsible for the formation of the Election and Screening Committees for the upcoming Ohanaeze election.

Key figures present at the meeting included Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah (represented by Secretary to the State Government, Chidi Onyia), as well as leaders from Ohanaeze Ndigbo chapters across Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Rivers States. Other notable attendees included Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, former APGA National Chair Chekwas Okorie, former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro, and former Minister of Power Chinedu Nebo.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo follows a rotational zoning arrangement for the president-general’s position, which alternates between the seven Igbo-speaking states of South-East and South-South Nigeria. The South-East consists of Enugu, Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, and Imo States, while the South-South region is represented by Rivers and Delta States.

Under this zoning structure, each state produces the president-general to serve a single, four-year term. If a president-general’s tenure is cut short due to death or resignation, the affected state has the right to nominate a replacement to complete the remaining term, subject to ratification by the Imeobi Ohanaeze. Chukwu’s appointment makes him the 12th president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.