Groups in Ohaneze Ndi -igbo threatening to impose succession.
FROM SAMSON ALFA MINNA.
Crisis might be brewing at the apex Igbo social – cultural organisation over Succession of Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo World Wide as, Dr. Valentine Iheukwumere Oparaocha who came second in the election that produced the former President of late Chief George Obiozor have raised alarm over alleged plots by some groups to undermine its succession order by orchestrating the imposition of another leader on the group.
Reports by our reporter gathered that Sixteen people, including Oparaocha bought forms for N500, 000 (five hundred thousand Naira), but only three of them stood for the contest in 2021 and late George Obiozor was eventally declared winner amidst complaints of electoral irregularities while he former came seconds.
It would be recalled that dusts raised by the Owerri, Imo state capital declaration in 2021 have refused to settle years after. Obiozor died, and Iwuanyanwu who was also declared successor without going through the electoral process and against constitutional order also died less than a year after assuming office.
The latest crisis have throwm up more contradictions bothering on the many questions being asked about the constitutionality or otherwise of, ‘Acting President’, a status said to be alien to Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo and its constitution but being muted by a cluster of Igbo associations named “Group of key Igbo Associations Worldwide”, with their headquarters in Enugu, via a memo dated 14th September, 2024.
A memo made available and signed by 13 representatives of 12 key Igbo associations; Dr. Uma Eleazu (BoT chair-Anya Ndi Igbo), Engr. Chris Okoye (President Anya Ndi Igbo), Professor Chinedu Nebo (President, Nzuko Umunna), and others says it is recognizing Dr. Kingsley Dozie, the Vice President to succeed Iwuanyanwu as President on Acting capacity.
The memo was also copied to Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Imeobi members and Ohaneze NEC members cited Article 13 of the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo constitution to defend their actions which is also being challenged by one of the three contestants during the 2021 election, Valentine Oparaocha and another group, Ogbako Ndi Igbo Nile (ONN).
Ogbako Ndi Igbo Nile, in a statement dated 22nd of September, 2024 signed by; Ambassador Akpelu Azunna E. Ph.D, FIPMD, FONN (President General ONN), Maj-Gen Collins RU Ihekire (rtd) Officier du Mille Colline (OMC) Rwanda, JP (Imo state) National Leader and Prof. Obasi Igwe, Secretary General faulted the Group of Key Igbo Associations Worldwide for taking steps they viewed as capable of causing more injury on Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide.
The statement in parts; “The recent document issued by the so-called, Group of Key Igbo Associations worldwide, raises serious concerns that threaten to undermine the constitutional framework that governs Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide and could create unnecessary divisions within Alaigbo”.
“We find the statements in their letter dated 14th September, 2024 not only provocative but also misleading cum capable of distorting the facts and we must set the records straignt for the benefits of Ndi Igbo and the continuity of our collective unity”,
“insisting that appointing Dr. Kingsley Dozie when the constitution clearly provides that the Deputy President General should take charge in case of demise of the President Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide.
Supporting the emergence of Dr. Dozie, amounts to not only series of constitutional breaches and at the same time, ‘direct attempt to disenfranchise our kith and kin in Rivers state, who are entitled to their rightful role in this process their rights as according to them, no Igbo, no matter how highly placed or location is superior to other by nature’.
The statement also maintained that the Deputy President General, Chief Jackson Omenazu, from Rivers state who had been recommended by the Elder
