Youth wing asks EFCC to probe Ohanaeze Ndigbo

The leadership vacuum and crisis in Ohanaeze Ndigbo took another dimension on Thursday as its youth wing called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to commence an immediate investigation into the accounts of the organisation.

The National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, stated that the investigation had become necessary following allegations of embezzlement trailing the leadership of the organisation.

“This will help clear the air about the running of the organisation and the desperation to continue in office against the constitution,” he said.

Okpalaezeukwu, who read the communique of the meeting, frowned at the ongoing contention over the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, insisting that it is the turn of Rivers State to produce the occupant of the office.

He added: “We stand firmly by the provisions of the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on the rotation of the Office of the President General. Therefore, it is the turn of Igbo in Rivers State to produce the next President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, after Imo State. This provision is sacrosanct and any attempt at compromise shall be met with stiff resistance. We, therefore, urge other organs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, including but not limited to the Ime Obi, Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo at State and LGA, Council of Ndi Eze, Elders Council, and the Women Wing, to rise to the occasion and provide leadership for Ndigbo at this crucial moment.”

He stated, however, that with the vacuum created in the leadership of the organisation following the deaths of the President General and Deputy President General, “the Vice President General whose state is next in alphabetical order shall act.”

“On this note, and in consideration of the timeline, we hereby call on the Vice President General from Abia State to, as a matter of necessity and law, take charge of leadership as the Acting President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and pilot the affairs of the National Executive Committee (NEC) until the emergence of a consensus President General and Deputy President General from Imo and Rivers States, respectively. In the event of further delay and unwarranted procrastination by the Vice President General from Abia State, we urge other Vice Presidents General to, in line with the provisions of the Constitution and alphabetical order, take responsibility and provide leadership for the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” he said.

The youth group said that the security situation in the South East and Nigeria at large would improve if the kinetic efforts by the gallant Armed Forces were complemented with an indigenous-driven non-kinetic effort that engages youths and discourages idleness.

They commended the efforts of the National Security Adviser to the President, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Minister of Defence, Dr. Abubakar Badaru, for the strategic engagement of stakeholders across regions and groups, saying such efforts have enhanced the working relationship between the masses and the government on security matters.

“We, therefore, reaffirm our resolve for healthy cooperation and collaboration for a stable and better Nigerian state.

“We are concerned about the continuous suffering of Nigerians as a result of the high cost of energy and other related commodities. We are dismayed by the controversy generated by the claim that Port Harcourt Refinery has begun full operations. We bemoan the conscious and continuous disenfranchisement of Igbo youths from the various corporate social responsibilities by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, NNPCL, and other federal parastatals. This inclusion shall accord us a sense of belonging and contribute immensely to national unity, stability, and security in the South East and Nigeria at large,” they said.