UNIEC WORLDWIDE: Let the Constitution Speak, Let Due Process Prevail, and Let Igbo Unity Remain Supreme.

UNIEC WORLDWIDE — ELDERLY COUNSEL ON CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER, DUE PROCESS AND UNITY WITHIN OHANAEZE NDIGBO WORLDWIDE

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has taken note of the publication concerning the letter reportedly issued by nine members of the Global Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the serious concerns raised regarding the constitutional status of the Lagos State Chapter leadership dispute.

As an institution committed to elder-statesmanship, constitutionalism, justice, peace and the unity of Ndigbo, UNIEC considers it necessary to respond with wisdom, restraint and objectivity.

We recognise that disagreements within an institution are not unusual. What matters is how such disagreements are managed. No internal dispute should be permitted to weaken the constitutional foundation, dignity and unity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

THE CONSTITUTION MUST REMAIN SUPREME

UNIEC respectfully emphasises that no individual, faction, committee or group of officers should assume powers that are not expressly conferred upon them by the Constitution or applicable rules of the organisation.

At the same time, allegations of unconstitutional conduct should not themselves be treated as established facts without examination of the relevant constitutional provisions, records, resolutions and legal proceedings.

The appropriate question is therefore not merely who has the loudest voice or the greatest number of signatures, but:

What does the Constitution provide? What decisions have been validly made? What orders have been issued by competent courts? And what procedure best protects the integrity of the institution?

Where a matter is before the courts, all parties should respect the judicial process and refrain from actions capable of prejudicing or unnecessarily complicating the proceedings.

ELDERLY COUNSEL: RESTRAINT IS WISDOM

Our elders have always taught:

“When two elders quarrel, the wisdom of the community is not to choose the louder voice, but to restore understanding.”

UNIEC therefore calls upon all parties to exercise restraint and avoid language capable of transforming an institutional disagreement into permanent personal hostility.

Words such as coup, betrayal, traitor and similar expressions carry considerable emotional and political weight. Unless established through appropriate constitutional, investigative or judicial processes, such descriptions should be treated as allegations or opinions—not settled facts.

THE PRESIDENT-GENERAL AND THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

UNIEC acknowledges the constitutional importance of the office of the President-General and the Global Executive Council.

The President-General must be allowed to discharge the responsibilities entrusted to that office within the Constitution. Equally, members of the Global Executive Council have legitimate responsibilities within the institutional framework and should be able to express concerns through recognised constitutional channels.

Neither side should seek to replace constitutional procedure with personal authority.

LAGOS SHOULD BECOME A LESSON, NOT A LEGACY OF DIVISION

The longstanding disagreement concerning the Lagos State Chapter should not be allowed to become a permanent wound within the Igbo family.

UNIEC believes that the objective should ultimately be a constitutionally valid, transparent, peaceful and broadly acceptable resolution that restores confidence among members.

Where legally permissible, elder mediation, reconciliation, dialogue and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) should be explored alongside—not in substitution for—any judicial or constitutional process that must lawfully continue.

Our elders say:

“A broken calabash may be repaired, but wisdom requires that we first stop throwing it against the wall.”

OUR FINAL COUNSEL

UNIEC Worldwide respectfully urges all concerned to:

1. uphold the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide;

2. respect the authority of competent courts;

3. verify all claims, resolutions and constitutional interpretations;

4. avoid inflammatory personal accusations;

5. protect the dignity of the President-General and all lawful officers;

6. ensure that legitimate members have appropriate avenues for participation;

7. pursue reconciliation wherever legally and constitutionally possible; and

8. place the unity and long-term institutional survival of Ndigbo above factional interests.

The wisdom of our ancestors teaches that an institution is greater than the individual temporarily occupying an office, while the legitimacy of an office depends upon the law that created it.

UNIEC therefore does not support unconstitutional shortcuts from any side. Neither does it support premature condemnation of individuals without due verification.

Let the Constitution speak. Let the courts speak where the law requires them to speak. Let the elders mediate where mediation is possible. Let truth be established before judgment. And let the unity of Ndigbo remain the ultimate responsibility of us all.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity