…Oparaocha, others want key Igbo leaders to intervene
Three months after the demise of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, succession crisis is brewing within the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo World Wide as, Dr. Valentine Iheukwumere Oparaocha who came second in the election that produced the former President of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization late Chief George Obiozor have raised alarm over alleged plots by some groups to undermine its succession order by orchestrating the imposition of another leader on the group.
Findings have it that, the latest crisis is about the constitutionality or otherwise of, ‘Acting President’, a status said to be alien to Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo and its constitution but being muted by a cluster of Igbo associations by the name, “Group of key Igbo Associations Worldwide”, with their headquarters in Enugu, via a memo dated 14th September, 2024.
The memo signed by 13 representatives of 12 key Igbo associations; Dr. Uma Eleazu (BoT chair-Anya Ndi Igbo), Engr. Chris Okoye (President Anya Ndi Igbo), Professor Chinedu Nebo (President, Nzuko Umunna), Bishop Obi Onubogu (Chairman, BoT Alaigbo Development Foundation), Agbalanze Chike Madueke (President Aka-Ikenga), Dr. Festus Okere (Chairman, World Igbo Congress (WIC)), Professor Elo Amucheazi (President, Igbo Leaders of Thought), Mazi Okechukwu Unegbu (President, Out Oka Iwu/Igbo Lawyers Society Worldwide), Chief Chris Ekeoba Ugodinma (President, Association of Alaigbo Town Unions, Lagos), Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze (President, Igbo Worldwide Assembly (IWA) Amadiebube Mbama (Chairman, Global Igbo Leaders) and the only two females; Iyom Josephine Anenih (President Nkata Ndi Inyom) and Dr. Mrs. Uzoama Josephine Aguoji (President, Council of States in America (CISA), says it is recognizing Dr. Kingsley Dozie, the Vice President to succeed Iwuanyanwu as President on Acting capacity.
The memo which was made available to newsmen in Minna copied; Ambassador Okey Emuchay, Secretary-General, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Imeobi members and Ohaneze NEC members cited Article 13 of the Ohaneze Ndi Igbo constitution to defend their actions which is also being challenged by one of the three contestants during the 2021 election, Valentine Oparaocha and another group, Ogbako Ndi Igbo Nile (ONN).
Ogbako Ndi Igbo Nile, in a statement dated 22nd of September, 2024 signed by; Ambassador Akpelu Azunna E. Ph.D, FIPMD, FONN (President General ONN), Maj-Gen Collins RU Ihekire (rtd) Officier du Mille Colline (OMC) Rwanda, JP (Imo state) National Leader and Prof. Obasi Igwe, Secretary General faulted the Group of Key Igbo Associations Worldwide for taking steps they view as capable of causing more injury on Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide.
The statement in parts; “The recent document issued by the so-called, Group of Key Igbo Associations worldwide, raises serious concerns that threaten to undermine the constitutional framework that governs Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide and could create unnecessary divisions within Alaigbo”.
“We find the statements in their letter dated 14th September, 2024 not only provocative but also misleading cum capable of of distorting the facts and we must set the records straight for the benefits of Ndi Igbo and the continuity of our collective unity”, insisting that appointing Dr. Kingsley Dozie when the constitution clearly provides that the Deputy President General should take charge in case of demise of the President Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide.
Supporting the emergence of Dr. Dozie, amounts to not only series of constitutional breaches and at the same time, ‘direct attempt to disenfranchise our kith and kin in Rivers state, who are entitled to their rightful role in this process their rights as according to them, no Igbo, no matter how highly placed or location is superior to other by nature’.
The statement which maintained that the Deputy President General, Chief Jackson Omenazu, from Rivers state who had been recommended by the Elders’ Council as the rightful successor to Iwuanyanwu also questioned the legitimacy of the, ‘Group of Key Igbo Associations’, adding that the association has no legal standing within Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide and therefore lacked the authority to make any pronouncements on the leadership of the apex Igbo socio-cultural association.
Meanwhile, Valentine Oparaocha, the man that came second after Obiozor is insisting that haven emerged second runner up in the 2021 Presidential contest should be allowed to succeed Iwuanyanwu who according to him never passed through electoral but was crowned by a segment of the Ohaneze Ndi-Igbo Worldwide and few other Igbo leaders against succession guidelines.
Oparaocha, a retired security expert is arguing that, “The tenure of Imo state has not elapsed and these groups are quoting a constitution they never quoted in anything Ohaneze has been doing for years. Now, they want Abia state to control Ohaneze by making the assistant President-General of Ohaneze ndi Igbo, the acting President General”.
“The Secretary-General of Ohaneze ndi Igbo is from Abia state. This means that both PRESIDENT General of Ohaneze ndi Igbo and Secretary General Ohaneze ndi Igbo would be from Abia state. No! That should not be, because it is unconstitutional and against natural justice”, adding that there is no fairness and justice if not allowed to complete the turn of Imo state.
He argued that, by the actions of these few individuals if allowed to continue is capable of successfully alienating Rivers state from mainstream of ndi Igbo. Secondly, by a doctrine of necessity, Imo state leaders of thought conceded it to late Iwuanyanwu because of his towering image and not necessarily by due process.
“I think the position of President General Ohanaeze Nd’Igbo World Wide still resides in Imo state even if it is for a few months. I sensed that the people of Imo state are jittery over the misfortune of successive deaths but that shouldn’t deter us from doing the right thing”, Oparaocha said, adding that he is still interested and should be allowed to complete the tenure of Imo state.
“The latest I heard that they are calling on the former Imo state Governor, Ikedi Ohakim to come and become President Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide but I also learnt that he has publicly declined the offer. God is watching, the gods of our land are also watching and seeing how some people are trying to subvert the wishes of the people for their vain interests”.