Ohanaeze rejects coronation of ‘Igwe Ndigbo’ in South Africa amid unrest

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has distanced itself from the controversial “Igwe Ndigbo na East London” installation in East London, South Africa stating that the title is invalid and has no legal recognition.
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These developments coincided with unrest in the Eastern Cape Province, where protests erupted over the coronation. Protesters reportedly burned vehicles and looted foreign-owned businesses, causing tensions to continue to rise.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, the organization expressed concern over the impact of the incident, particularly reports of violence and property damage.

The statement read, “We express deep concern over the disturbances that have occurred, condemn the unprovoked attacks on innocent people and the destruction of property and call on the relevant authorities to take the necessary steps to prevent further escalation.”

Ohanaeze condemned the violence and urged South African authorities to take decisive action to restore order and prevent further breakdowns of law and order.

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The group reiterated that the Igbo people are widely known for their peaceful nature, entrepreneurial spirit, and respect for the laws of the host community, and emphasized that the group does not support actions that violate local customs and traditions.

Clarifying its position, the organization stated that the inauguration in East London was “merely a warning as it is not supported by any legislation.”

This is further in line with the stance of the South East Traditional Rulers Council, which stated that it does not recognize the conferment of the title “Eze Ndigbo” outside Igbo land.

Ohanaeze advised Igbo communities in the diaspora to adopt alternative leadership titles such as “Onyendu” for coordination purposes, and warned that use of the king title abroad could lead to misinterpretation and tension.

The group also called on Igbo citizens abroad to remain law-abiding and respectful of their host countries, while calling on the government and South Africans to encourage peaceful coexistence.

The conference concluded by urging calm, mutual understanding and constructive dialogue between all parties involved.