By Alex Odeh
The Apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed disappointment over the poor outcome of the South East geopolitical zone, in the just concluded one-week Online Voters Registration Exercise, that was slated for August 18th to August 25th, 2025.
The Igbo group, which indicted the South East Governors, including traditional rulers, Southeast Civil Rights groups, among others in the poor performance of the region explained that the unfortunate development has rendered the Southeast a political caricature in the eyes of the nation.
They further described the attitude of the Igbo leaders as “a grave political sacrilege, an unforgivable blunder, by failing to mobilize the Igbo people for this vital registration process”.
Disclosing this in a statement, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Deputy President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Thompson Ohia, National Spokesman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stressed that “We cannot afford to be excluded from this critical electoral process as failure to register will have dire consequences.”
According to them, the Southeast will continue to suffer exclusion from the center, and the cries of “marginalization, though self-inflicted in this instance, will amplify the suffering of the Igbo people.”
The statement read in part: “The blame, however, extends far beyond Anambra. We castigate the Southeast Governors, whose focus on narrow political agendas has demonstrably overshadowed the paramount political interests of the Igbo people. While Ohanaeze Ndigbo itself acknowledges its own shortcomings in this endeavor, the Traditional Rulers and Southeast Civil Rights groups are also implicated in this collective failure.
“This irresponsible conduct has rendered the Southeast a political caricature in the eyes of the nation.
“This is a clarion call, a rallying cry, to all Igbo across Nigeria. Participate in the INEC Voters Registration Exercise across the 774 Local Government Areas of the Federation. Register, and make your voice heard. Let the Igbo people reclaim their rightful place in the Nigerian political landscape.
“The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, issues this formal declaration with a profound sense of responsibility and a heavy heart. We acknowledge, unequivocally, the collective failure of Ndigbo to adequately participate in the recently concluded Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Online Voters Registration Exercise.
“Following a thorough internal investigation into the dismal performance of the Southeast region, we find ourselves compelled to deliver this unvarnished truth to the Igbo people.
“The figures are stark and deeply concerning. During the one-week online registration exercise, from August 18th to August 25th, 2025, the entire Southeast region recorded a profoundly unacceptable 1,998 new voter registrations.
“This paltry sum stands in stark contrast to the 1.3 million Nigerians registered nationwide. Astonishingly, the Southwest region registered a staggering 848,359 new voters, followed by the North-Central region with 250,218. These figures represent a profound and unacceptable underperformance for the Southeast.
“Therefore, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, driven by an unwavering commitment to the welfare and future of Ndigbo, issues this imperative: Every eligible Igbo voter must, without hesitation, register during the ongoing INEC In-Person Voters Registration Exercise.
“Our internal investigations reveal a catastrophic failure of leadership and a glaring lack of awareness among the Southeast electorate regarding the significance of the online registration process. The absence of participation in Anambra State, where not a single individual registered, is particularly egregious and demands immediate condemnation.
“We hold all political leaders in Anambra State accountable, including Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Former Governor Peter Obi, for their dereliction of duty. Their failure to mobilize eligible citizens for this crucial exercise represents a profound betrayal of trust.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo now summons its righteous resolve to call upon Ndigbo to seize control of their destiny. The ongoing INEC In-Person Voters Registration Exercise, which commenced on August 26th, 2025, and will continue for one year, until August 31st, 2026, presents an opportunity for redemption.
“During this period, Ohanaeze Ndigbo will relentlessly exert pressure on the Southeast Governors, the 95 Local Government Area Chairmen under ALGON, Traditional Rulers, Religious Organizations, Civil Rights organizations, Presidents of Igbo Town Unions, Igbo Market Associations, Student Groups, and all relevant stakeholders to mobilize every eligible individual to register.”
