Crisis: Ohanaeze divided as two factions lay claim to leadership
Crisis: Ohanaeze divided as two factions lay claim to leadership
The leadership crisis rocking the Cross River State Chapter of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo has continued to gather momentum as two factions are laying claim of the organization.
While a faction claims that the incumbent President, Ugoji Nwabueze is no longer the leader of the Apex socio-cultural organizations as he has been sacked for alleged misconduct, the Ugoji’s faction kicks, describing it as unconstitutional and cannot hold any water.
Ugoji who is also the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Governor Ben Ayade on Non-Indigene Affairs has been battling a love lost between some members of the organisation for a while, however, it got to a head following a meeting that was held last Saturday at the residence of Obi Eze Ndigbo in Calabar, where an interim leadership emerged.
The interim leadership was being chaired by Prince Agwu Nwokedi, also SSA to Governor Ayade on Ethics & Norms, while Remi Agwuezie, emerged the secretary general of the caretaker committee of the group.
The duo stated in a press statement issued to journalists shortly after the meeting in Calabar that their task is to usher in a Substantive Executive through credible election which was slated for May 8.
They expressed worry over the activities of Ugoji, for parading himself as the President of the Igbo group by issuing circulars and press releases in the name of the organization. According to the statement, the Ugoji led executive was formally disbanded on December 12, 2020 and that being the immediate past President he still chooses to embarrass the Igbos.
The group said: “these unrestrained activities of the former president is inimical to the collective interests and/or well-being of the entire Ndi Igbo in the state and it is a gross abuse of office. Thus, his indefinite suspension from being a member of the group.”
Warning members of public to desist from dealing with Ugoji and his team, they maintained that there is only one indivisible organisation under their new leadership.
Kicking against the purported meeting and dissolution, Ugoji insisted that he is still the President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Cross River State just as he still enjoys the respect and good will of the people nationally.
Maintaining that any meeting called and not authorised by him or not having my approval is illegal null and void. Ugoji said: “Ohanaeze constitution has no provision for interim nor caretaker committee. So, any one or persons parading themselves as such remains a product of illegality.
“The said meeting of March 20 was not authorised by me and cannot be a proper meeting of Ohanaeze and so any decision emanating there is null and void. Ohanaeze State meetings has never and cannot hold in the private home of a deluded self-acclaimed chief,” Ugoji said.
He added saying that the South East Traditional Rulers Council, by an overwhelming decision in its widely circulated advertorial published on national dailies in early October, 2018, has banned the use of the title of Eze Ndi Igbo in diaspora.
“It described the said title as impositotry, malicious, vexatious, offensive and Insulting to the Traditional rulers. It advised desiring to be coroneted as such to go home and be so coroneted. And Ohanaeze, Cross River chapter has in compliance to the directive with the said title,” he stated.
He advised the Igbo in Cross River State to once more pursue their legitimate duties and stay away from unapproved organizations capable of creating a breach of public peace.
Crisis: Ohanaeze divided as two factions lay claim to leadership
