Ohanaeze: Igbo youths push for new acting president-general

Igbo youths under the auspices of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths have thrown their weight behind calls for an acting President-General who will pilot the affairs of the organisation, pending the election of Imo state indigenes to complete his tenure.

The seat of President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization became vacant following the death of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu some weeks ago.

Iwuanyanwu, who was appointed to serve out Imo state’s tenure following the death of Prof George Obiozor had served without a Deputy President general.

Rising from their meeting in Enugu, the Ohanaeze youths, in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Chika Adiele, stated that appointing an acting president general was important to give the body a direction.

It stated that it was in support of an emergency NEC meeting of the parent body and would give its full support.

The youths also reaffirmed their confidence in the acting National Youth leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezukwu requested that he be accorded full rights and privileges as representative of the youth wing at the said NEC meeting and other events of the organisation

“The Youth Wing shall not relent to enforce its right, should any other individual attempt to impersonate the leadership of the Youth Wing at any event of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. We reiterate that the only authentic leader of the Youth Wing as unanimously chosen by 23 members of the NEC and approved by the Imeobi is Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu following the recommendation of our respected father, late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu,

“We have respect for our departed President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and would not condone any action or utterances that might denigrate his legacies and cherished memory.

“That the National Executive Committee of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide – Youth Wing is made up of eminent, honourable, progressive-minded and law-abiding young men and a young woman who is a mother and wife, and we frown at the disgraceful attempts to defame us, by associating us with actions or plans that are inimical to our cultural, social and legal codes.

“We affirm our absolute confidence in the leadership of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, and then appeal to Senator Hope Uzodimma, not to allow some desperate individuals to drag the image of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to the mud, due to their personal and selfish ambitions”, they said.

The youth wing further stated that they have commissioned independent investigators to analyse the finances of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, adding that “preliminary findings suggest that over 700 Million Naira, comprising over 100 Million Naira, handed over by Chief Nnia Nwodo to the present NEC, over 100 Million Naira generated by Late Ambassador Professor George Obiozor and over 500 Million Naira mobilized through the goodwill of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu in his short stint as President-General, has not been convincingly accounted for”.

It added that while an investigation continues, “We wish to put the relevant authorities on notice, that the Youth Wing shall stop at nothing in ensuring that every dime belonging to the apex organisation is accounted for, to the last kobo, and no individual will be spared of all legal consequences, should they be found culpable in the diversion and or embezzlement of Ohanaeze funds”.