…Calls for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention
Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has distanced itself from the comments made against the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by their erstwhile president, Prof Joe Ukemenam.
Prof Ukemenam had in an interview with TheSun, said that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s house in London is worth £10million. He was also quoted in the interview to have said that Kanu had no traceable business, adding that there is no evidence of tax returns or national insurance contributions on the part of the IPOB leader.
But Ohanaeze Ndigbo United Kingdom in a disclaimer issued on Monday, dissociated itself from the position of Ukemenam, calling for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention
“The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has been drawn to a recent interview granted by Professor Joe Ukemenam to Sunnews online which was published on 20 August 2022 and subsequently re-published by other online media houses, in which he discussed a range of issues including the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu by the Nigerian government.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK through this medium wishes to categorically disassociate itself from the views expressed by Prof Ukemenam on matters raised in the said interview. We hereby inform the public that those opinions and references made were entirely his and does not in any way or form represent the views or the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK,” the statement signed by the trio of Mazi Kingsley Offor, Chief Uche Osuigwe and Charles Nwaogwugwu, the Acting President, General Secretary, and Publicity Secretary respectively, reads in part.
Continuing, they said that: “while Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK has not expressed any official position on the matters raised in the interview, it condemns the forceful rendition of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra – Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria against international laws and treaties and we call on the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from his incarceration by the Nigerian government.
“At the time of the said interview, Prof Joe Ukemenam who had already handed over his duties to his deputy due to his trip abroad, was neither speaking on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK nor. was he mandated to act or speak on our behalf on those or any other issues.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK condemns in the strongest terms, any attempt by media houses or socio-political commentators to associate Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK with the personal views of any individual as expressed in the said interview or elsewhere.
“Prof Joe Ukemenam following a critical reflection of the impact of the said interview and placing the interest of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK above his own personal considerations, has formally resigned his position as the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK with immediate effect.
“The Executive Committee and the Ime Obi Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK have since accepted Prof Ukemenam’s resignation, and the Deputy President -Mazi Kingsley Offor has been appointed as the Acting President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK pending the election of a new
president.
“As the ONLY apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation in the United Kingdom, Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK remains committed to uplifting and promoting Igbo culture and heritage. In this regard, we convey our immense gratitude to all Ndigbo resident in the UK for their participation in the recent Igbo Festival of Arts and Culture held in London last month.
“It should be recalled that following the widespread outcry of Ndigbo in the UK over the numerous irregularities that marred the last Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK election of 20 November 2021, the General House declared that the purported election where certain individuals were allegedly elected as officers, was null and void and unanimously agreed it was (and still is) repugnant to the constitution and convention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Worldwide, as well as repugnant to the constitution and convention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo UK and Worldwide, as well as repugnant to the culture of Ndigbo.
