The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra has cautioned a splinter group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly, against causing disunity among the people.
Chief Damian Okeke, President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state, who described the group as “political jobbers” gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday.
The splinter group had on Sunday, announced that it had registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and taken over the leadership of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation.
The traditional ruler of Igbariam in Anambra East Local Government Area, Dr Nkeli Nzekwe, further inaugurated the new group in his palace with himself as the Chairman, Board of Trustees.
Okeke said that the development, which occurred in the state, was an affront on the good image of Gov. Willie Obiano, who had dedicated himself to ensuring unity of Igbo people.
He said Chief Nnia Nwodo-led Ohaneze Ndigbo, had long elected Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and chairman, South-East traditional rulers’ council, as the chairman, board of trustees.
“I wonder why on his own imagination, the monarch woke one Saturday and started appointing national president of Ohaneze from his own Local Government, same way he appointed himself, chairman board of trustees.
“We equally have a tradition from inception that we move the leadership seat from one state to the other,” he said.
He noted that the Ohaneze Ndigbo could not exist without South-East traditional rulers, town unions and governors as a mark of respect to traditional institutions and elected offices.
“But not those who think that they can dance naked because when they do, we shall not be ashamed to look at their nakedness,” he emphasised.
Okeke said the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo led by Nwodo, had proven that Igbo people have a leader and would not lose sleep from this ‘slanting’ of the splinter group.
The president however, ruled out a legal action against the new group, adding that “it is a non-issues by political jobbers, who misfired.”
Also reacting, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalezeukwu, the state leader, Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing, expressed support on the position of the state president but declined comment on the action by the traditional ruler.
“As youths, we are only amazed that such a young man like Onyeachonam Onuora, the self-acclaimed President-General of the splinter group, delved into such critical and sensitive apex social cultural matter.
“We warn him to desist from such acts capable of destabilising Igbo unity and we must warn that youths in the state cannot sit back and watch irresponsibility to mar matters of Ohaneze Ndigbo,” Okpalezeukwu warned.
The youth leader further advised the president of the new group in the state to desist from parading himself as such until he tenders his resignation from government employment.
“We the youths are advising him to resign his position as the Head of Service in Oyi Local Government Area with immediate effect, if he wants to delve into politics,” he said.
