A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned that the group should not be used as a retirement cottage for old politicians.
Speaking against the backdrop of the emergence of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Secretary General of the faction, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said Iwuanyanwu should not allow himself be dragged into illegalities by adversaries of Ndigbo.
The statement, which was made available to journalists, yesterday, reads: “We believe being over 80 years old, Iwuanyanwu is too old for this.
“First, being a member of the Imeobi Ohanaeze for over three decades, a one-time Chairman of the highly respected Ohanaeze Strategy and Planning Committee, as well as involved in various Ohanaeze constitution drafting committees, he should not allow himself be dragged into illegalities by adversaries of Ndigbo.
“Parading himself as President General of Ohanaeze or even claiming to have been so selected by Imo 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. Uzodimma Nwala, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, Prof. Chidi Osuagwu, Archbishop AJV Obinna, Mike Aham, was present at the so-called Imo elders meeting where Iwuanyanwu was selected.
“This implies that the people present were hand-picked by Douglas House to run errands, and are, therefore, on their own.
“If Iwuanyanwu was such a fantastic choice for the office, why did Douglas House snub him to pick the late Prof. George Obiozor as its 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 he is the most unpopular Ohanaeze member from Imo State based on his unenviable track record as a typical Nigerian politician rather than an Igbo patriot?
“Why does he enjoy illegalities? Parading himself earlier on as Chairman of Ohanaeze Elders Council is contrary to the Constitution of Ohanaeze, which expressly states that “the President General shall be the Chairman of/preside over all organs of Ohanaeze.”
The group noted that the office of the President General of Ohanaeze is not a retirement home for tired Igbo politicians, especially at this turning point in the history of the Igbo nation, stressing that Ohanaeze needs a President General who has soundness of mind and body, as well as goodwill and integrity to lead from the front.”
