Concerned stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide have issued a strong warning to Chidi Ibe and Okechukwu Isiguzoro to stop impersonating leaders of the authentic pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze.
The stakeholders in a statement, signed by Ndubuisi Igwekani, its spokesperson, stated that the activities of the above-mentioned individuals are embarrassing to the entire Igbo nation.
They accused Rochas Okorocha, former Imo State Governor, of sponsoring Ibe, as factional president general of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo to spite Hope Uzodinma, his rival, whom he accused of producing the late George Obiozor, as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The stakeholders also blamed Nnai Nwodo, former president general of Ohanaeze, for allowing Governors to decide who becomes the President-General of the body.
They observed that since Nwodo did not follow due process in the election that produced the late George Obiozor, as president-general that there was no other election conducted by Richard Ozubu, as being speculated that could have warranted Ibe and Isiguzoro to be claiming that they are both president-general and secretary-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, respectively.
Read also: Meiran Community Senior High School wins national student entrepreneurship competition
They stated that they have spent time and money, to reconcile people, who felt aggrieved with the election that produced Obiozor, but stressed that now that the late Diplomat is no more after rendering his own service, everybody should rally round Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the new president general, to take Ndigbo to the required position.
“All those angry should drop their anger and support Iwuanyanwu, to drive Ndigbo to the ‘Promised Land.’ Yes, there was an issue in the election before, but there was no faction.
“We must support Iwuanyanwu to ensure that he redeems the image of Ohanaeze, by conducting a smooth election after his tenure, since he has been produced by Imo State Chapter to complete their tenure.
“We must equally support him to keep throwing his weight around Peter Obi, in the struggle to reclaim his stolen mandate.”
They warned the duo, to desist from using the name of Ohanaeze to endorse what it termed “a fraudulent announcement” of Bola Tinubu, as President-Elect, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that such mercantilist move is a complete sabotage of Igbo interest.
According to the stakeholders, “At a time when all Nigerians, who are not even Igbos are yet to accept the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, Ibe and Isiguzoro are going about claiming that Ohanaeze will attend Tinubu’s inauguration and canvassing for Senate Presidency.
“While some Nigerians are yet to accept Tinubu as President-Elect, Chidi Ibe and Okechukwu Isiguzoro are busy selling their futures for money, claiming to be a faction of Ohanaeze. Who made them leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo?
“These people have embarrassed Ndigbo enough and this is the last warning to them. They can’t be using Ohanaeze, as a mercantilist movement. We know they’re political jobbers, but they should create another group for that purpose or face the wrath of Ndigbo,” the stakeholders said.
