Leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, have regretted the leadership feud that engulfed the Akwa Ibom chapter for 26 years. They have however expressed thanks to God that the bitter tussle has ended following negotiations to bring the warring factions under one leadership.
Recalling the harrowing experience of that era, the leaders of the organisation at a press conference in Uyo, the state capital, said the resolution of the conflict would be cemented with a festival to celebrate the Igbo Unity Day (IUD) scheduled to hold at the Ibom Hall ground, IBB Way, Uyo, on Saturday, November 15, 2025.
The event, according to the organisers, has as theme: “Peace and Unity: A Panacea for Progress and Development.” It was deliberately designed “to formally mark the end of the protracted crisis rocking the Igbo community in Àkwa ibom state for over two decades.”
Addressing journalists in Uyo yesterday, the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide Akwa ibom State Chapter, Hon. Kayceey Chidiadi, explained that the coming event was a big unification of the entire Igbos in the state after a protracted crisis and litigations in which over N400 million was wasted.
The president also regretted that some of the prominent persons who engaged in the crisis that rocked the Igbo community in the state have passed away, and assured that they would be posthumously honoured during the event as peace and unity have returned and embraced by all factions.
“To achieve the peace, unity and progress we are celebrating today, my administration upon assumption of duty pioritised reconciliation of all factions, it was a very big task, but we were able to overcome the storm after several sessions; we were able to bring all warring factions on a round table and signed a lasting peace accord,” he explained.
He disclosed that his team through the assistance of the Court permitted an out -of -Court settlement in which a strong reconcilation was achieved, stressing that such leeway necessitated the striking out of all pending cases relating to the crisis.
Hon Chidiadi, said to make the event very memorable, Igbos in the state have been urged to shut down all their business outlets and appealed to the Igbos in the entire 31 local government areas of the state to troop out en -masse for the august occasion.
The president who declared end to all factional hostilities which existed within the Igbo community in the state, announced that his administration has extended the chapters of the body in the state from 11 to 27 chapters, and would inaugurate the remaining four chapters after the coming event to complete the 31 LGAs.
“My administration has also ensured we have a befitting Secretariat, a working bank account for the body and also planning to secure our permanent Secretariat for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state.
“Igbos are very progressive and development minded race and usually add value to any community they live, they build homes and take such areas as their home which means they will never engage in any negative activity to undermine their host community,” he assured.
He, therefore, described Akwa ibom as “very peaceful, and her people very hospitable ,” adding that the government led by Pastor Umo Eno, has provided serene and secured environment for businesses to thrive as well as carried the Igbos along in appointment into his administration.
