Ohanaeze Ndigbo spits fire on statement linking it with inauguration of Tinubu

Alex Enebeli

The apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has strongly condemned a statement indicating that it will participate in the inauguration of President-Elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The group said this on Tuesday while expressing dismay at the embarrassments that were often caused to the general public by those it described as maladjusted attention seekers that deploy the name of the group in most “detestable and deplorable proportions”.

The group led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu said this while warning those using its name for public statements to desist from it, in a statement issued on Tuesday by
Dr Alex. Ogbonnia, its National Publicity Secretary.

The group had in the statement identified one Okechukwu Isiguzoro as the impostor who has been issuing allegedly on its behalf.

In its latest statement, Isiguzoro had said Ohanaeze Ndigbo will participate fully in the inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu.

Isiguzoro had in the statement said, “the Ime-Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo has mandated that every agitation for the 2023 election should come to an end.

He added that “Peter Obi is the candidate of the future and that nobody should pick up a fight they can’t finish, against Bola Tinubu.”

But the Iwuanyawu led group said no person has a right to wake up and issue a far-reaching statement on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo without consultations or a form of consensus.

“Therefore, those behind such acts are highly ignorant of the damages they cause to themselves and the Igbo nation on a daily basis.

“They are reminded that every misconduct against the Igbo pantheon or the Imeobi Ohanaeze has its corresponding inevitable consequences,” he said.

The publicity secretary explained that various eminent Igbo dignitaries had appealed to such mischief makers to appreciate that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide represented the history, emotions, collectivity, spirituality, unity and strength of the Igbo nation.

Ogbonnia further hinted that Igbo had a unique socio-political orientation and disposition, saying they were republican, egalitarian, deliberative, liberal and democratic.

“The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to the news making the rounds indicating that it will participate fully in the inauguration of the President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu”.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by Chief Dr Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, did not issue any statement with respect to the inauguration of President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ohanaeze said.

Ohanaeze said it does not wax eloquent on partisan politics, except when it becomes exceedingly necessary, and also does not begrudge or antagonise any Igbo” for his choice of political party and association.

“But to implicate Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in personal pecuniary interest is not only unethical, despicable and unscrupulous but, in all ramifications, connotes a criminal intent,” it said of the claims attributed to Ohanaeze.

He alleged that one Okechukwu Isiguzoro had been making statement on behalf of the Ohaneze.

Ogbonnia added that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had deployed several means available including reaching out to the traditional ruler of Okechukwu Isiguzoro community for him to desist from the damages he caused to the image of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, to no avail.

Ogbonnia said Ohaneze obtained a court order restraining Mr. Chidi Ibe, Prince Richard Ozobu, Isiguzoro and others from parading themselves as representatives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“Justice Uchenna Mogbo of the High Court of Enugu State, further declared that the purported parallel election of the officers of the National Executive Council (NEC) of Ohanaeze conducted in Enugu State at the instance of the defendants is illegal and un-constitutional,” he said.

(NAN)