Some prominent Igbo personalities named in a statement that rejected the Ohanaeze Ndigbo national election that produced Professor George Obiozor as President General have stepped out to publicly distance themselves from the statement.
the statement which was signed by a faceless individual but carried names of prominent Igbo leaders without their consent reads:
“NDIGBO REJECT PURPORTED OHANAEZE ELECTION.
Arising from a zoom meeting of respected and real Igbo leaders held yesterday, Igbo leaders described the purported election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a farce and unacceptable to Igbo Nation.
The group recommended that;
√ Efforts should be made to draw the attention of all key stakeholders on the need to step in and ensure that the elections are conducted in a way to unite rather than divide , permanently damage and embarrass the Igbo Nation.
√ That the running of Ohanaeze Ndigbo be handed over to the South East Region of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) for two months period while efforts would be made for another election”
The faceless characters who were expressing their frustration for failing to stop the Ohanaeze Nde Igbo election, after their court order was evacuated, now turned to blackmail, spread of fake news and name dropping in order for their fake news to gain attention. Going state by state and writing any name that comes to mind as those that signed the press release. From Abia they added
ABIA STATE: Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Elder Umah Eleazu, Elder Kalu U. Kalu, Dr Kalu Idika Kalu, Admiral Ndubuisi Kalu,
Dr Okey Enelamah, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Dr Uche Ogah, Dr Emeka Wogu, Prof. Greg Ibeh, HRM Aguocha Bobby , Dr Emeka Okoro, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike. Virtually everyone mentioned from the state has issued a denial.
In Anambra State: Chief Mbazilike Amaechi,
Dr Tim Menakaya, Chief Osita Chidoka, Iyiom Josephine Anenih, Engr. Chris Okoye, Prof. Elo Amucheazi, Sen. Stella Oduah, Justice Philip Umeadi, Lolo Kate Ezeofor, AVM Canice Umenwaliri, Prince Emeka Okeke,
Archbishop Maxwell Anikwenwa, Chief Chris Eze.
Delta State: Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Most Rev. Emmanuel Chukwuma, Prof. Pat Utomi,
Ebonyi State: Chief Lawrence Nwaruku,
Dr Sam Egwu, Elias Mba, Amb. Ogbonna Aja Nwachukwu, Amb. Methias Okafor,
Dr Chris Okeke, Archbishop Emmanuel Ede, Engr. Fidelis Nwankwo.
Enugu State: Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Prof. Bath Nnaji, Admiral Alison Madueke, Hon Toby Okechukwu, Mrs Fidelis Njeze, Chief Nduka Eyaa, Chief Elechi Onyia, Mrs Maria Okwor, Mr Oyibo Chukwu, Hon Chibudom Nwuche,
Imo State: Sir Onyenso Nwachukwu,
Dr Kema Chikwe, Dr Charles Ugwu, Most Rev Anthony Obinna, Dr Abraham Nwankwo,
Maj Gen. Rowland Ogbonna, Justice B. A Njamanze, Dr Frank Jacobs , Chief Emeka Diwe, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, Amb. George Onyegbule.
In their desperation they forget that most of the names added are names that played one positive part or the other in making the election a success.
Look at someone like Prof. Greg Ibe, he first nominated Prof. George Obiozor after several meeting in lagos three years ago. He personally spoke to Ihedioha , Onyeagocha and the Imo Chief of Staff then about the need to have him complete diplomatic tour of what was achieved by Nnia Nwodo. By error or omission the Imo government changed hand. But that didn’t change his stand. He has long to called on prof to congratulate him, yet his name was added.
Dr Emeka Wogu, CON. Fmr Honorable Minister of Labour & Productivity and supervising minister of interior, in an official message he personally endorsed congratulates Prof. George Obiozor and the entire executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, over their generally accepted election. He described their election as a path in the right way for the Igbo nation.
Chief Wogu pointed to the fact that the election was endorsed and supported by Ndigbo across the globe, as a testament to the good, bold and inspiring leadership examples he has shown over the years. He went ahead to emphasis that as a diplomat, Prof. Obiozor will bring his wealth of experience, international appeal and reach to the benefit of Ndigbo. While also congratulating the entire new executives too, the former Minister of Labour expressed confidence that the new Ohanaeze leadership have what it takes to help achieve the positive aspirations of Ndigbo worldwide.
Denying being part of any meeting that was against the election, Chief Emeka Wogu expressed satisfaction over the election of the Vice-President and Secretary-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Kingsley Lawrence, and Chief Okey Emuchay respectively, and called on them to realize that the role they have taken is one that requires a lot of selfless sacrifices for the benefit of the Igbo nation.
Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who were listed among 36 personalities that had rejected the polls conducted by an Electoral Committee headed by Prof’ Gary Igariwe were shocked at the inclusion of their names in the list, stressing that they knew absolutely nothing about the statement, its origins, writers or motives.
Dr. Ogah, who said he was at the venue of the election and endorsed its outcome in totality, said emphatically, “I don’t know them,” stressing that the statement was the handiwork of faceless individuals out to make mischief.
He said he has already congratulated all the winners and has implicit confidence in the ability of Professor Obiozor to steer the ship of state of the Igbo nation.
Senator Abaribe, representing Abia-South Senatorial District of Abia State in the National Assembly, in his reaction to the statement said, also emphatically, that “I NEVER (emphasis his) issued any statement denouncing the Ohaneze election. Just like other people I saw a newspaper headline putting names of those against the Ohaneze election and including my name. I never spoke to any reporter and have been in the village. I only returned yesterday.”
The statement had claimed that the election, conducted at the Dan Anyiam Stadium Owerri, Imo State was “a farce and unacceptable to the Igbo Nation,” recommending, among others, that “the running of Ohanaeze Ndigbo be handed over to the South East Region of Christian Association of Nigeria ( CAN) for two months period while efforts would be made for another election.”
Since the press release was made know virtually all the Igbo leaders mentioned therein have either send a counter press release or reached out to Prof. George Obiozor to congratulate him.
