By Ejike Ikezuagu – UK.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK Presidency and other positions have been zoned to Imo State, Ogene Ndigbo Newspaper has gathered.
During a meeting of the group in July 2025, the President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK, Chief Dr Lady Aqueen Ibeto (Adabu Uzo), stated that following her tenure, Imo State is designated to nominate the next President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK.
Chief, Dr, Lady, Aqueen Ibeto (Adabu Uzo)
Chief Dr. Lady Aqueen Ibeto, from Enugu State, was elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK in 2021 when the presidency was allocated to Enugu State.
Dr Lady Ibeto has served the organisation since 2021 and will transfer responsibility to the next elected President from Imo state.
At the general meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK on 20 July 2025, the group assigned the Imo State Union of Elders to oversee the process of selecting a candidate to represent Imo State in the upcoming election on 15 November 2025 for the position of President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK.
The Chairman, Imo State Union of Elders, High Chief Lord Dr Nick Chikwe (KSC) expressed their gratitude to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK for entrusting such important responsibility to them.
He said, “As long-standing and committed members of Ohanaeze, we are honoured to undertake this task and assure all will be conducted with fairness, transparency and inclusiveness”.
In the same development, Chief Chikwe invited all qualified and interested sons of Imo state who wish to contest for the position to indicate their interest by contacting Imo state Union of Elders.
In the same vein, the Imo State Union of Elders, under the leadership of Chief Chikwe, engaged “Imo State Union UK”, the principal association representing all Imo state indigenes in the United Kingdom led by the newly elected President, Chief Vicman Ekwueme to oversee the nomination, screening, and selection process for candidates. He said, the Union will work alongside Imo State Union UK to manage nominations and ensure an inclusive and credible election.
This initiative aims to ensure credibility, transparency, justice, and inclusivity while promoting peace, unity, and effective representation of Imo State within the broader Igbo community, Chief Chikwe said.
In another development, the involvement of Imo State Union UK was gladly accepted and honoured by its members as witnessed in their last meeting held in September 2025. Its members strongly recognised its involvement in all these processes.
The Imo State Union of Elders has stated that additional positions allocated to Imo State will likewise be filled through a fair and transparent process.
The group provided eligibility criteria as below.
Candidate Eligibility:
– Must be nominated by an Affiliate Member Organization (AMO) or a registered business financially compliant for at least 2 years.
– Must be a registered member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK for at least 2 years.
– Any qualified Imo indigene in the UK may contest.
Eligible Voters:
1. Financial members of the Imo State Union of Elders
2. Financial members of the Imo State Union UK
3. Registered Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK members of Imo origin
4. Two (2) delegates from each AMO or qualifying business
5. Five (5) delegates each from the three Imo senatorial zones: Owerri, Orlu, Okigwe
Pre-Election Activities:
– Screening: Verification of eligibility
– Debate: Candidates present their vision and plans
– Equal Voting Rights: All votes carry equal weight
Declared Candidates:
1. Lord Okey Igbokwe
2. High Chief Chima Oparaugo
3. Chief Prince Nnaemeka Dikeocha (Anyafurugo)
If you are still interested in this position, the deadline to declare is Tuesday 8 October 2025.
Conclusion
Please watch this space for the announcement of the pre-selection date for candidates”.
(Contact Ogene Ndigbo Newspaper for all your news publications and adverts – +447459426542 Only WhatsApp.)
Great move