…Calls Attacks on Enugu Governor “Malicious Lies,” Reaffirms Mbah’s Security Achievements
The leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has strongly disowned the so-called Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), describing it as a “phantom organisation” created by “rascally elements” seeking to deceive the public and discredit the administration of Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Prof. Frederick O. Eze, Vice President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (Enugu State Representative); Dr. Barr. Peter Aneke, National Treasurer; and Hon. Amobi Edeh, Acting State Chairman of the Enugu State Chapter, the group said their attention was drawn to what they called “malicious and evil-intentioned publications” by impostors falsely parading themselves as youth representatives of the Igbo apex body.
One such publication, which appeared on Sahara Reporters, was signed by Mazi David C. Ani of the OYC Enugu State chapter, in which he launched scathing attacks on Governor Mbah over an alleged Fulani herdsmen attack in Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.
“The extremely vulgar Mazi Ani vomited many ludicrous and unprintable statements about our Governor,” the statement read. “His uncouth remarks constituted an embarrassment to any well-meaning citizen of Enugu State who lives and witnesses the giant strides of our Governor in all sectors of the economy, especially internal security.”
The group also discredited another statement issued by Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, who claimed to be the National President of the OYC. They maintained that such personalities are not only illegitimate but have been consistently impersonating Ohanaeze Ndigbo in a bid to gain relevance and extort money.
“There is nothing as Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC). It is a phantom organization created in the imagination of a few mischievous and wicked young men,” they declared. “This pseudo entity has been promoted over the years by such rascals as Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, Okwu Nnabike, and others to deceive the public and manipulate government institutions for selfish gain.”
The statement revealed that the authentic Ohanaeze Ndigbo had taken legal steps against the impostors, securing court injunctions barring them from parading themselves as representatives of the organisation. Security agencies have also been approached to arrest them, though they reportedly went underground.
Reaffirming the legitimacy of the current leadership, they stated: “There is only one authentic Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide with Senator John Azuta Mbata as the President General.” According to the statement, Mbata and his executive were duly elected on January 10, 2025, at the old Governor’s Lodge in Enugu, in the presence of all South-East Governors.
The group expressed dismay over what they called “nauseating statements” from these “renegades” attacking Governor Mbah’s record on security.
“It is indeed mind-boggling that in the year 2025, an individual living in Enugu State would cast aspersions on the performance records of the Governor in the area of security,” they said. “This is a Governor who has connected substantial parts of Enugu State with AI-enabled CCTV cameras linked to a 24/7 Central Command and Control Center — not obtainable anywhere else in Nigeria.”
They further listed some of the Governor’s efforts, including the procurement of hundreds of AI-enabled patrol vehicles for the Distress Response Squad (DRS), and the construction of a 21.7km asphalt road in Eha-Amufu to enhance accessibility and security operations.
While expressing condolences over the recent violence in Eha-Amufu, the group rejected the claim that the Governor was indifferent to the area’s plight.
“We deeply regret the loss of lives in Eha-Amufu but totally reject the notion that it happened for lack of genuine efforts on the part of the Enugu State Governor,” they said.
The statement concluded with a strong call to the public to disregard any statements or actions from the so-called Ohanaeze Youth Council, insisting that they are “painful impostors and vile mimics.”
“It is highly regrettable that it is only in Igboland that its apex socio-cultural organization is trampled upon and ridiculed by all comers. Such cannot happen in Arewa Consultative Forum, Afenifere, PANDEF, or MBF,” they lamented.
The leadership vowed to continue purging Ohanaeze Ndigbo of impostors and preserving the integrity of the organisation.
