In a spirited display of unity, the Youth Wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has proudly reaffirmed their unwavering support for their acting National Leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu.
This declaration comes in the wake of a recent statement from Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who announced that Mr. Okpalaezeukwu had been relieved of his role as Youth Wing Leader.
Dr. Ogbonnia claimed that an order had been issued for Okpalaezeukwu to revert to his previous position as Secretary-General of the Youth Wing, referencing a letter dated July 24, 2024, from Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
However, during an impassioned press conference held at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu following their National Executive Committee meeting on August 8th, the youth wing resolutely declared, “In light of the tragic passing of our esteemed leader and father, the late Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu OFR MFR CFR (Ahejiagamba Ndigbo), we believe it is more honorable to rise above this baseless disclaimer.”
They maintained that; “Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu remains the Ag. National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, as unanimously elected by the National Executive Committee(NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, ratified and confirmed by both the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by President General, and Ime Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo( the Highest Decision Making Body as recognised by the Constitution); and this Authority subsists until an elected Youth Leader of Ebonyi State Extraction emerges.
“We vote of Confidence on our indefatigable Ag. National Youth Leader – Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu; and hereby reaffirm our implicit Solidarity and Support.”
They maintained that the “NEC never met to take any of the alleged decisions in his write up. In fact, Alex was not present in the quoted meeting as he was said to have traveled to America and a single individual lacks the Powers to remove and/or replace any executive officer; therefore, attempt to unilaterally remove the acting National Youth Leader- Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu violated the Ohanaeze Constitution and must be checked.”
Speaking on other issues of national importance, the leadership of Igbo Youths further commended “the resilience and unwavering solidarity of Igbo Youths towards our passionate plea to stay out of the ongoing Nationwide Protest,” stressing that this is a critical and challenging times for Ndigbo; ranging from Grief over the demise of our loved ones, undue detention of Igbo Youths, unlawful and malicious demolition and destruction of Our Property and Investments, absence of Federal Infrastructure and other forms of neglect that has denied us sense of belonging in Nigeria; that notwithstanding , we cannot join a protest we don’t know the convener nor the interest. We are engaging with the Government at all levels on ways to expeditiously address these challenges.
“We are concerned about the pockets of violent crimes and economic instability in the South East, especially the needless loss of lives; We therefore, enjoin our Governors to urgently convene a strategic meeting with the Apex Youth body in a bid to proffer lasting Solutions.”
On the political development in Abia state, the Youths frowned at the deliberate refusal of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly to obey Appeal Court Judgement.
“We call on the Government of Abia State, especially the Legislature led by the Speaker- RT. Hon. Emmanuel Ihuoma Emeruwa, to immediately obey the Appeal Court Judgement, by swearing in the recognised Representative of Aba North State Constituency in Abia State House of Assembly- Hon. Aaron Uzodike. This is in order not to give a chance to civil unrest in Abia State.”
The communique was signed by the following:
1. Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu- Ag. National Youth Leader
2. FCC Jones Onwuasoanya – Deputy National Youth Leader
3. Mazi Wenceslaus Ogbonnia- Assistant National Youth Leader(Enugu)
4. Hon Dike Chukwudi- Assistant National Youth Leader (Abia)
5. Hon. Osita Ozalagba- Assistant National Youth Leader (Anambra)
6. Hon Emmanuel Mbadugha – Assistant Secretary
7. Chief Chinedu Arthur Ugwa- Financial Secretary
8. Hon. Chris Obiemeghego – National Treasurer
9.Chief Okorie Okechukwu Henry- Assistant Treasurer
10. Hon Dr. Nnamdi Odo- State Youth Leader (Enugu)
11. Barr. Ikenna Odoh- Assistant legal Adviser
12. Mazi Chika Art Adiele- Publicity Secretary
13. Mazi Obinna Eden- Assistant Financial Secretary
14. Mazi Ezeka Friday- Ex Officio (Ebonyi)
15. Mazi Imaga Eke Imaga- State Youth Leader (Abia)
16. Prince Gift Amadi- State Youth Leader (Ebonyi)
17. Mazi Desmond Arinze- State Youth Leader(Delta)
18. Mazi Ikenna Awam- State Youth Leader(Ebonyi)
19. Mazi Onyedika Eweh- State Youth Leader (Anambra)
20. Hon. Chibuzor Udekigbo – Assistant National Publicity Secretary
21. Barr. Faith Ohaka- National Legal Adviser
22. Comr. Akadiro Phil Chisaokwu- Ex+officio (Imo)
23. Hon. Brenden NjeNje – State Youth Leader (Imo)
