From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Youth Wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has said that they concur with the idea of holding an emergency National Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, asserting that they never constituted a threat to such an important event.
However, they cautioned that the youth wing should be invited with the acting National Youth Leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, accorded full rights and privileges as the legitimate representative of the body at the NEC meeting and all related activities.
The Ohanaeze Youths made this clarification in a press statement made available to The Authority Newspaper and signed by its National Youth leader, Mazi Chika Art Adiele.
The Youth wing said that the allegation that the emergency Ohanaeze NEC meeting is being delayed due to threats from the acting Youth leader, Mazi Okpalaezeukwu is far from the truth.
The press statement read in parts, “That the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide – Youth Wing is in full support of the call for an emergency NEC meeting of our parent body, and will give every support requested of it for a smooth and peaceful proceeding.
” That the Acting National Youth Leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, should be accorded FULL RIGHT AND PRIVILEGES as the representative of the Youth Wing at the said NEC meeting or any other NEC functions, Events and Activities till further notice.
“That 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, following recommendation of our respected father, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu.
“That we have utmost respect for our departed President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu – Ahaejiejemba Ndigbo – and would not condone any action or utterances that might denigrate his legacies and cherished memory.
” That as Nature abhors a vacuum, the Youth Wing aligns with those who request for an acting President-General to be appointed by the NEC to pilot the affairs of our cherished organisation, pending the election or appointment of another Imo son to complete the outstanding term of office which they are entitled to.
“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.
“That we affirm our vote of absolute confidence on the leadership of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, and appeal to His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, GSSRS, not to allow some desperate individuals to drag the image of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to the mud, due to their personal and selfish ambitions.
“That the Wing has commissioned independent investigators to analyse the finances of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and preliminary findings suggest that over 700 Million Naira, comprising of 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. While, this 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.”
