OHANAEZE CRISIS: IWUANYANWU TOO OLD FOR THIS APRIL FOOL’S JOKE; IGBO BISHOPS’ REPORT THE ONLY WAY FORWARD- ISIGUZORO, OHANAEZE SCRIBE

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed disappointment over claims by Igbo politician, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu of being selected as Ohanaeze President General stating that the octogenarian was “too old for the April Fool’s Joke”.

In a statement issued by the organization’s Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Ohanaeze insisted that the only way regarding the leadership crisis in the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization remains the implementation of the Report by the Igbo Archbishops and Bishops Peace Committee.

The statement read:

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide wishes to state categorically that it is disappointed with Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu on his recent claims to being selected as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

We believe that being over eighty years of age, Iwuanyanwu is too old for this “April Fool’s Joke”. Firstly, being a member of the Imeobi Ohanaeze for over three decades, a one time Chairman of the highly respected Ohanaeze Strategy and Planning Committee and as well involved in various Ohanaeze constitution drafting committees, he should not allow himself to be dragged into illegalities by enemies of Ndigbo.
His parading himself as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo or even claiming to have been so selected by Governor Hope Uzodinma’s Council of Elders is contrary to Articles 11,12 and 13 of the Ohanaeze constitution.
In Imo State, none of the known members of Imeobi/ Ohanaeze elders like Prof Uzodinma Nwala, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, Prof Chidi Osuagwu, Archbishop AJV Obinna, Chief Mike Aham, SAN was present at the so-called Imo Ohanaeze elders meeting where Iwuanyanwu was selected. This implies that those there were hand picked by Governor Uzodinma to run his errands and are therefore on their own.
If Iwuanyanwu was such a fantastic choice for the office, why did Governor Uzodinma snub him to pick Late Prof George Obiozor as his candidate. Again, why does he want to answer Ohanaeze PG through the back door? Is he afraid to stand for election at the Ohanaeze General Assembly because of the fact that he is the most unpopular Ohanaeze member from Imo State alive today based on his unenviable track record as a typical Nigerian politician rather than an Igbo patriot? Why does he enjoy illegalities? His parading himself earlier on as Chairman, Ohanaeze Elders Council is contrary to the Ohanaeze constitution which expressly states that “the President General shall be the Chairman of/ preside over all organs of Ohanaeze”. Moreover, office of the President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not a retirement home for tired Igbo politicians. Rather, at this turning point in the history of the Igbo nation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo needs a PG who has the soundness of mind and body and as well the goodwill and integrity to lead from the front.
Evidently, it is for the above reasons that Ohanaeze stakeholders and affiliates including Ala-Igbo Development Foundation (ADF), Global Igbo Leaders(GIL), Njiko Igbo,etc have rejected him.
We wish to state that the only way forward regarding the Ohanaeze leadership crisis is the Implementation of the Resolution of the Igbo Archbishop and Bishops Peace Committee Report.

Signed

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide”