A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned that the organization should not be used as a retirement home for old politicians.
Speaking against the backdrop of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s emergence as President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General of the faction, said Iwuanyanwu should not be dragged into illegalities by Ndigbo’s adversaries.
“We believe Iwuanyanwu is too old for this,” according to the statement, which was made available to journalists yesterday.
“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 emphasized that the office of the President General of Ohanaeze is not a retirement home for tired Igbo politicians, especially at this critical juncture in the Igbo nation’s history, and that Ohanaeze requires a President General who is sound of mind and body, as well as goodwill and integrity, to lead from the front.
