Embattled secretary-general of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Uche Okwukwu has reacted to his expulsion from the group.
Recall that it was reported yesterday that the Imeobi, the highest decision making organ of the pan-Igbo group expelled its long-estranged secretary-general and former president of the youth wing, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, alleging rebellion and sabotage.
The duo, according to Ohanaeze, “constitute unmitigated embarrassment to the organisation through their actions and utterances and should be expelled.”
Reacting however, Mr Okwukwu, in a statement issued on Wednesday said the Imeobi was not the highest decision making organ of the group, adding that those behind his expulsion were simply ignorant of the constitution.
According to Okwukwu, “I read with happiness the publication credited to my friend Mr. Uche Achi-Okpaga (the Pedestrian and uninformed ‘publicity secretary’ of the suspended President-General, Nnia Nwodo’s Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“In the said publication he claimed that I have been expelled from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. I thank God for this false claim. Secondly, I am happy that the author rightly said that I opposed purported adoption of Atiku Abubakar as the ‘adopted’ candidate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“I opposed the adoption of Atiku Abubakar in the greatest interest of Ndigbo as I knew that President Buhari and the APC will win the 2019 Presidential election.
“First, the Imeobi is not the highest decision making organ in Igboland. Under the constitution of the Ohanaze Ndigbo 2004, the highest decision making organ is the National General Assembly.
“Article 10 (vi) (c) states that ‘the National General Assembly shall elect and remove members of the National Executive Council (NEC). From the foregoing provisions, Mr Achi Okpaga is ignorant of the constitution.
“Let me state for record purposes that the suspended P.G. Chief John Nwodo is under pressure to refund the Three Billion Naira (N3B) he collected from the PDP to endorse Atiku Abubakar. A mission that fails woefully. I urge him to refund the money to free himself physically and spiritually.
“Notably, Nwodo is deeply worried and frustrated with the outcome of the supreme court judgement on the Imo State Governorship election as he had earlier worked out plan with the sack Governor Emeka Ihedioha to install the next President General of the body.
“Finally, we are confident that Nwodo and his co-travellers will fail in their dream to install the next President General, the Deputy President General and Secretary General. Ohanaeze Ndigbo hereby passes a vote of confidence on the government of President Buhari and Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.”
