Ohaneze Crisis: Youth Wing Sacks Nwodo, Names Ozobu as Replacement

Posted by African Examiner Featured Contributors/Columnists, Latest Headlines, News From The State Thursday, April 19th, 2018

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The protracted crisis bedeviling the Igbo umbrella body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has reached its peak, as the embattled President-General of the organization, Chief Nnia Nwodo, has been reportedly sacked from office, and replaced by another Enugu state elder statesman, Chief Richard Ozobu

It would be recalled that for several months now, Nwodo, has been in a serious battle with the leaderships of both the Youth and Women wings of the body, a development that led to his earlier suspension by the two wings, although, he dismissed the action, saying the two wings have long be disbanded.

Following the crisis, the group had earlier shortlisted three names as Nwdo’s possible replacement.

To match its words with action, the Youth wing had in a statement made available to African Examiner on Wednesday night in Enugu, announced the sack of Nwodo and his replacement with Prince Richard Ozobu.

The statement was signed by President of Ohaneze Youth wing OYW, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, Secretary-General and Comrade Achuonye Obinna, Vice President.

“We, the leadership of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing, OYW, have the mandate of the respectable Igbo elders, leaders of thought, captains of industries and intelligentsias that recently met at Enugu, to brief the Igbo nation and general public that another expanded meeting of SAVE OHANAEZE GROUP meeting held today at Enugu and after series of consultations and meeting, it unanimously sacked the suspended President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo for playing games with the Igbo Nation and been anti-social with Igbo’s socio-political and economic interests.

The statement added: “It is open to the watching public that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has with the kind of Chief Nnia Nwodo’s leadership, seen Igbos missing in the political radar of Nigeria and losing grips of Igbo citizens and as well, plummeted to the lowest ebb, seeing Ohanaeze Ndigbo becoming an appendage of political platform to politicians, to the extent that Nwodo has decided on 2019 presidential election without any negotiation.

“It could be recalled that last Enugu meeting agreed to not only sanitize but constitute a National Steering Committee, Ohanaeze Ndigbo before the end of the week. Three persons shortlisted for Nnia Nwodo’s replacement are Prince Richard Ozobu, Sir OAU Onyema and Prof Eche Ugwu, who are verily tested products of tradition.

“In another follow up meeting held at Enugu today, the SAVE OHANAEZE meeting has also asked Ohanaeze Youth Wing to brief the press – especially announcing a change in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership.

“The meeting attended by Igbo Leaders, Save Ohanaeze Group, Ohanaeze Youths and Women, screened all the 3 shortlisted candidates for Nwodo’s replacement, namely Prince Richard Ozobu, Sir OAU Onyema and Prof Ugwu, after which Prince Ozobu emerged new President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and he will be sworn-in on 21st April, 3018 at Owerri, Imo state.

“The meeting also pleads with the Igbo nation, Southeast Governors, Igbo Leaders of Thought, intelligentsias and captains of industries, Ohanaeze Youths and Women to support the new President General, Prince Richard Ozobu and his team to be announced later.

“As a consequence, Nwodo has been banned from carrying any action and or political hobnobbing with Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s sacred identity; and he is banned from entering Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat and if seen there, he will have himself to be blamed.

“The meeting also observed that Nnia Nwodo had also alienated the Ohanaeze Youths and Women Wings to the level of calling for elective convention on both wings, just to rival and silence the Igbo youths and women who are watchful and opposed to his preference for recycling another politician of the old brigade, as President Buhari’s alternative.

“The meeting observes also that the Ohanaeze youth and women wings were merely victims of Nwodo’s political brigandages because they after reviewing the Nwodo’s political gambit and permutation and commended the youth and women for their resiliency and protection of Igbo identity. It said also that Igbo youths, women and politicians may dash to politics but not using Ohanaeze Ndigbo platform to serve a political clearing house.

“The meeting went further to caution the Igbo nation on presidential election and drew the attention of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo/Igbo Elders led by Pa. Mbazulike Amaechis, Dozie Ikedifes, Ben Nwabuezes, Ralph Obioha on the pre-2015 adoption of a presidential candidate.

“In view of the foregoing, the save Ohanaeze meeting, also said that there is no need deciding in a hurry against the incumbent – President Muhammadu Buhari and there must be a thorough negotiation without hurting anyone or region.

“It would not be business as usual and South-East Governors and Leaders (political and traditional) and especially Ime Obi, must be involved.”

Efforts by our Correspondent to obtain reaction of the media Adviser to Nwdo, Mr. Emeka Atama, was unsuccessful, as his mobile phone was switched off as at the time of filing this report.