World Igbo Day Celebration Cancelled Over Leadership Crisis

The annual World Igbo Day celebration in Bayelsa State has been called off following the lingering leadership squabble and threat to peace in the state.

Attempts by the state government through the deputy governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and the police commissioner, Mr Ben Nebolisa Okolo, to settle the rift failed as both parties threatened to hold separate events.

While the faction loyal to the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Bayelsa, Mr. Maze Onuma Johnson, secured the Banquet Hall for the celebration, the group led by Chief Remiguise Ekwem picked the State Cultural Centre as its venue.

LEADERSHIP Friday investigation revealed that despite the warning and intervention of the state government that unless the two factions settle and use the Peace Park as venue, there may not be an Igbo Day Celebration, the factional leaders refused to rescind their opposing stands.

The state government had at a peace meeting convened on Tuesday urged the Igbo community in the state to remain peaceful and united as they join their kith and kin at home and abroad to celebrate the 2022 World Igbo Day on Thursday.

Ewhrudjakpo urged that no house divided against itself could stand, and therefore, advised the Igbo community to sink their differences to foster peace, unity and progress among them.

He warned that the government would not allow the celebration of a parallel Igbo Day celebration in the state as it is capable of precipitating a crisis among members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state.