Ohanaeze Ndigbo Defends New Constitution, Says Due Process and Broad Consultations Guided Adoption

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has defended the adoption of its new constitution, insisting the document emerged from an open, inclusive and transparent process that reflected the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation made the clarification in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, amid discussions surrounding the constitution’s adoption. According to the group, the review process was not initiated by the current leadership but was the product of years of work carried out by successive administrations.

Ohanaeze explained that the constitutional review built on the foundation laid during the tenures of former Presidents-General Chief Nnia Nwodo, Prof. George Obiozor, and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. It added that the present administration formally reactivated the process during its leadership retreat held in January 2025 at Nike Lake Resort.

To drive the exercise, the organisation constituted a Constitution Review Committee chaired by Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), with Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN) serving as secretary. The committee was provided with draft constitutions prepared under previous administrations to ensure continuity and preserve institutional memory.

Ohanaeze stated that the committee was deliberately structured to reflect broad representation, drawing members from the seven Igbo-speaking states, the Diaspora, Town Unions, Traditional Rulers and professional bodies. It added that copies of the draft constitution were circulated to state chapters and affiliate organisations for review and feedback.

The organisation said it further expanded public participation by publishing the draft in national newspapers and distributing it across Igbo WhatsApp platforms and other social media channels to encourage contributions from interested stakeholders.

According to the statement, a public hearing was later held at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat, where memoranda and recommendations were received from individuals, affiliate groups and state chapters before the draft was presented to the Imeobi on December 23, 2025, for consideration.

Following deliberations, members were given an additional three months to submit observations and proposed amendments. After the review period elapsed, the Imeobi reconvened, adopted the final draft, and the General Assembly ratified the constitution, bringing it into effect.

Reaffirming its position, Ohanaeze said the organisation remains committed to democratic values, due process, transparency and inclusiveness, stressing that every stage of the constitutional review was designed to protect the collective interests of Ndigbo.