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Tag: Ohanaeze Ndigbo

  • 10th NASS: We are happy with zoning decision – Ohanaeze tells APC to ignore Orji Kalu

    10th NASS: We are happy with zoning decision – Ohanaeze tells APC to ignore Orji Kalu

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has waded into the controversy over the zoning of principal offices of the 10th National Assembly.

    The group’s reaction was over the protest by Abia Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu.

    Recall that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), zoned the position of Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives to Rep Ben Kalu from the same  State.

    But Senator Kalu, a former governor of the State, who is aspiring for Senate President’s position is insisting that the South-East deserves more than Reps Deputy Speaker.

    Reacting to the developments, the Ohanaeze Youths in a statement by its National President, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike urged Senator Kalu not to jeopardise the interest of the South-East by hiding under faceless groups to issue self-serving statements.

    While commending the APC and the President-elect for nominating Ben Kalu for Deputy Speaker, the Ohanaeze Youths said it was a decision based on merit.

    “Why Ben Kalu’s nomination is justified is because of his numerous works and capabilities shown in 43 bills and 22 motions and 2 laws signed by the President, making him the highest among his mates, especially those contesting.

    “He brought the largest investment to Igbo land from the federal government that runs into billions without diverting same and has been visible on the floor and all over the media as the face of Ndigbo.

    “As a spokesman, he did so well that Nigerians marked Igbos good on image making and public relations.

    “He stood by his party despite all odds; he is credible and dependable and will not bring Igbos shame.

    “The incoming government is happy with him and he will use that to attract more dividends for our people.

    “He won his elections based on what he did visibly for his people despite the wave he was saved by his works.

    “Those attacking him are those who feel his political positioning will shake their positions of leadership. They are doing it for selfish interest, not the region.”

    Okwu warned those sponsoring what he called “selfish campaigns against Hon. Ben Kalu to stop before we open their Pandora box on how they held Benjamin Kalu down for 22 years with nothing to show for his loyalty. We will also reveal how he fought his elections in 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023 in a graphic manner.

    “We are happy with what has been zoned to us, we are not ingrates, let those who worked more eat more.”

    He urged the Reps members-elect to cast their votes for Ben Kalu, assuring that he would give in the best for the unity and development of the country.

  • Obi is the president of the future, we will support Tinubu – Ohanaeze

    Obi is the president of the future, we will support Tinubu – Ohanaeze

    The  Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo has noted that Igbos have moved on and will render their support to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu as from May 29.

    Ohanaeze also appealed to the Labour Party, (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi to accept the outcome of the presidential election in the spirit of sportsmanship.

    This development came as a reaction from calls by a group known as Igbo Patriotic Forum and Elders Forum who are still against the emergence of Tinubu, saying that he should not be inaugurated as president until the tribunal decides the winner of the 2023 presidential election.

    However, Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro reacted and said the Igbos have moved on and will render their support to the president-elect.

    Condemning the call, Isiguzoro said the Ime-Obi has decided that Igbos should support Tinubu’s presidency until the court of competent jurisdiction says otherwise.

    Isiguzoro added that  Obi is the candidate for the future.

    According to Isiguzoro: “At this point in time, we will not associate with Igbos saying Asiwaju should not be sworn in on May 29 until the tribunal and the Supreme Court decide who becomes the president.

    “They were seeing instances where, in a football match, it’s wrong to hand over a trophy to a winner when the match is still ongoing, that the election process is still on until the Supreme Court gives its mandate.

    “Ohanaeze, after due consultations with Southeast governors, Igbo elders, Ime-Obi, and the general assembly in Enugu decided to caution all stakeholders in the Igbo project to be careful of their utterances and not to portray Ndigbos as being against Tinubu because the consequences of such actions would fall back on our shoulders and Igbo populace who are mainly traders, living outside Igbo speaking states. The majority of them are in the Southwest, particularly in Lagos State.

    “We are cautioning all those using the Igbo platform to allow the court to do justice, because Ohanaeze has nothing to lose. Those saying Tinubu should not be sworn in are calling for an interim government, and this call is very satanic and evil and does not represent the interest of Ndigbos.”

    Isiguzoro said the organization wouldn’t allow some elements to pitch Igbos against the President-elect.

    He added: “That is their own opinion, but Ohanaeze will attend his inauguration and not pick a fight with the President-elect.

    “The position of Ohanaeze is very clear; we will continue to support whoever INEC declares as the president, and with the full backing of the Igbo governors with Rivers State, Ohanaeze is calling on those agitating for an interim government to drop it, it’s satanic.

    “We are saying everybody should support Tinubu’s inauguration, but that does not stop them from doing their work. We are calling on all our 52 affiliated bodies that Ime-Obi has mandated that every agitation for the 2023 election should end because Ndigbo has moved on.

    He charged the LP presidential candidate to start building meaningful bridges ahead of the next election.

    “Peter Obi is the candidate of the future, nobody should use this election to create enmity because Igbos and Yorubas, nobody should pick up a fight they can’t finish against Tinubu. Igbo traders across the country would feel the heat of the proclamation of some so-called elders.”

  • Ohanaeze calls on president Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu before leaving office

    Ohanaeze calls on president Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu before leaving office

    Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.

    Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu the new President-General of the apex Igbo socio-political group made the appeal on Thursday.

    He spoke at the flag-off of the pre-dredging and hydrographic survey of the proposed sea access route of the Urashi-Oguta waterways through Degema to the Atlantic Ocean.

    “Please, finally, our vice president, tell our brother and son, Buhari, that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo – the over 60 million Igbos – request that he should release Nnamdi Kanu,” he said at the event in Oguta, Imo

    According to him, President Buhari should go do it “before he departs” office on May 29th, 2023, noting that the Igbo nation will be “very grateful” if that is done.

    He also dispelled fears that Igbos want to leave the country.

    “Igbos are not seceding. I don’t see why anybody will say Igbos are seceding. Igbos are everywhere. We have investments. Are we going to leave our investments?” the Ohanaeze chief argued during the occasion.

    Chief Iwuanyanwu also lauded Buhari for his love for the South-East which is reflected in the number of Federal Government projects in the region.

    “I would like the vice president, when you go, tell Buhari we are very grateful. When he took office we were not happy, we complained. But today, at the point of departure, things have changed,” he noted.

    “I can see that in most states a lot has been done. Here in Imo state, a lot has been done for us. So, I would like you to tell our son, Buhari, that we are very grateful. And I want Buhari to realize that he is an Igbo son, an honorary Igbo man.

    “He has been honoured by some Igbo states. I think Imo State has honoured him, and Ebonyi has honoured him. Chieftancy title in Igbo land is taken very seriously. You have to help us tell Buhari that he is an Igbo son, he is a member of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo by this honour given to him and what I am speaking here today, I am also speaking on his behalf.

    “We are very grateful for what he has done, but before he goes, whatever he can do to bring this project to succeed will be highly appreciated.”

  • Iwuanyanwu reels out plans for Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    Iwuanyanwu reels out plans for Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    The newly-elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has pledged to use his tenure to revive agriculture and industries in South-East to create jobs for its youths.

    Iwuanyanwu made the pledge during a Press Conference after the National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide held at its National Secretariat in Enugu on Monday.

    Chief Iwuanyanwu was on Sunday inaugurated as the new president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo after Ohaneze Imeobi – the decision making organ of the group – met  in a meeting attended by Igbo leaders.

    Iwuanyanwu said he would set up various councils to see that agriculture, industries, education and businesses received the attention they needed in Igboland.

    According to him, youths from the region engages in drugs and arms carrying because of poverty resulted from unemployment, stressing that the challenges will be addressed under his tenure.

    The president-general hinted that he would tackle the issue of unemployment facing the zone seriously by reviving cement Industries in the zone, revealing that limestone which was the major raw material in making cement was available in the five states of the zone.

    To achieve this, Iwuanyanwu said a committee would be set up to mediate between the group, state governments, and private investors who would be given franchise to operate.

    “My concern is to ensure that jobs are created, good and services provided.

    “We are also going to use Ohaneze to energize our system through agriculture, explaining that if we develop agriculture, it is enough to absorb most of those who are unemployed and reduce criminality,” he said.

    He described education and business as very critical for growth and development of any society, adding that proper recognition would be given to young men and women with skills to have opportunity to acquire education and knowledge which is fundamental to any enduring achievement.

    On business, he said: “Our businessmen and women have shown patients, commitment, perseverance and courage from breaking from tears in many places and establishing businesses”.

    Iwuanyanwu equally said he would take immediate steps to establish an Ohaneze Ndigbo Investment Company whose equity would be held by Ohaneze Ndigbo States not individuals.

    He added that the company would also create goods and services, employment opportunities and sources of funds in implementing some of their projects.

  • Why Iwuanyanwu is right man for PG – Ohanaeze youths

    Why Iwuanyanwu is right man for PG – Ohanaeze youths

    The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has endorsed elder statesman and Chairman of Ohanaeze Elders’ Council, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as the organization’s next President-General.

    The Financial Secretary, Ohanaeze Youth Worldwide, Mr Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, said this while addressing newsmen on the outcome of a meeting of the youths and Iwuanyanwu in Owerri, on Saturday.

    He commended the leadership of Ohanaeze, the apex sociocultural organisation of the Igbo people, for its efforts to replace the organisation’s immediate past President-General, Prof. George Obiozor, now late.

    He said that Iwuanyanwu’s endorsement by the youth wing was borne out of a sincere conviction that he was the right person to steer the sheep of the Igbo nation to the safest waters.

    According to him, Iwuanyanwu’s leadership will usher in a period of positive development in Igbo land in the areas of education, sports, security and economic emancipation, among others.

    He added that there was need for all well-meaning sons and daughters of Igbo land to support his emergence.

    “Iwuanyanwu is an experienced, accomplished technocrat and businessman.

    “Having interacted with him , we can assure you that with him as President-General, Igbo land will experience the dawn of positive development.

    “With him as apex leader, we’ll be able to challenge our people who are not doing well in government and hold government to account for grassroots development.

    “To set the records straight, he is not yet the President-General, as against permutations in some quarters, because due process  has to be followed before his emergence,” he said.

    He further called on those fanning the embers of discord in Ohanaeze through factional leanings to desist forthwith and join hands with the leadership of the organisation to move the Igbo nation forward.

    “Ohanaeze has no factional elders council, no factional leadership. Some persons want us to believe that there are factions but that is not true.

    “There is an existing court order restricting everyone from using the name of Ohanaeze to make press statements, except the National Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia and Secretary-General, Chief Okey Emuche.

    “We call on those with dissenting voices to desist forthwith and come together in the interest of the Igbo nation because we are one family and we cannot afford to be divided,” he said.

    He, however, urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to enable him to access proper healthcare.

    This, he said, would contribute to peace in the land.

  • Senate Presidency: Arewa, Ohanaeze meet over the chances of Igbos

    Senate Presidency: Arewa, Ohanaeze meet over the chances of Igbos

    Ahead of the senate presidency in the forthcoming 10th assembly, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has commenced the process of forming alliances with relevant stakeholders in the North.

    The Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, and Some members of Ohanaeze met with the Arewa Stakeholders and Leaders Forum, in Kaduna.

    The meeting was aimed at influencing the North to prevail on their Senators to select a South Easterner as the next Senate President.

    During the meeting, the leader of the Arewa forum, Ibrahim Waziri, pledged to mobilize Northern senators to pave the way for Umahi to become the next Senate President.

    Speaking about the meeting, Isiguzoro said: “We met with Arewa Stakeholders and Leaders Forum in Kaduna yesterday and we agreed that in fairness, justice and equity, the Southeast should be allowed to produce the President of the Senate in the 10th Assembly.

    “This would ensure we have a united Nigeria based on the interest of natural security.

    “The Arewa leaders and stakeholders forum led by Ibrahim Waziri have assured Ohanaeze that they would galvanize their Senators from the Northern extraction would ensure that this alliance we are forming will bear fruits when the National Assembly pick their leaders and principal officers on June 13.

    “They should ensure that the choice of Ohanaeze falls through, and in ensuring that the issue of secession becomes past, they must give an opportunity to a man with the capacity to emerge as the Senate President, because his emergence will end violent Biafra agitation and insecurity.”

    Isiguzoro also urged the National Assembly to adopt the doctrine of necessity to amend the standing rules, noting that the standing rule was a clog in the wheel of Nigeria’s unity.

    He added, “The National Assembly, in the interest of a united nation and peace, should adopt the doctrine of necessity to amend the standing rules. This standing rule is what is preventing the unification of Nigeria.

    “The Senators must know that at this point in time, what is paramount is working against the secession of any part. If the Senate overlooks the serious threats confronting the country and fails to amend the standing rule to allow a man who is the political leader of the Southeast to emerge as the Senate President, such would have an adverse effect on the Igbos.

    “This will save Nigeria from disintegration and harmonize whatever is still holding Nigeria together, this would make our people drop Biafra agitation and tell Peter Obi to calm the nerves of his followers challenging the election of Tinubu.

    “These are the ingredients the senate must look into and ask themselves who among the candidates from the Southeast can Biafra agitators respect.”

  • Ohanaeze to petition Buhari, NASS over profiling of Igbos in Lagos

    Ohanaeze to petition Buhari, NASS over profiling of Igbos in Lagos

    The Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has resolved to petition Pres. Muhammadu Buhari over the Igbo profiling in Lagos State since commencement of the 2023 general elections.

    The group also said they would send protest letter to the National Assembly and other relevant agencies to express their feelings over the attacks on Igbos in Lagos.

    Ohaneze disclosed this in a communique it issued after the Elders in Council Virtual Meeting held on Wednesday in Enugu, signed by the Chairman, Council of Elders, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu,
    Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Okey Emuchay and others.

    According to them, they will formally petition the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR to express their sadness and disappointment over the unfortunate development.

    They said that high powered Igbo delegation would be sent to Lagos to meet with some Leaders of Lagos State with a view to to establishing a lasting cordial and peaceful relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba in Lagos.

    The elders added that they had directed the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in association with Council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up an enquiry to carry out full investigation into the killings and destruction of property of Igbos in Lagos.

    “Amongst other terms of reference, the report must indicate: the number of Igbos killed, number of Igbos injured and hospitalized, number of Igbos permanently incapacitated.

    “The report shall include the comprehensive report of Igbo assets and property destroyed including the burning of market,” they said.

    The elders further said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo would ensure that all perpetrators of the criminal activity were brought to book and adequate reparation/compensations paid to the victims.

    According to them, the elders have resolved that Ndigbo will no longer fold their hands and watch their kit and kin humiliated, brutalized and killed.

    “Based on the foregoing, the Council of Elders directed Ohanaeze Ndigbo to set up an Emergency Telephone Line where Igbos in Lagos who are victimized because of their Igbo origin will report,” they added.

    They said the meeting was convened to review the painful and agonising experiences of Igbo in Lagos during the recent Nigerian General Election.

    The group said that during the election, innocent Igbos residents in Lagos who came out as patriotic Nigerians to cast their votes were assaulted, brutalized and some were reported to have been killed in the process by some miscreants and thugs recruited by some desperate politicians.

    “These unpatriotic Nigerians destroyed properties belonging to the Igbo, for example, a whole market was burnt. Information available to us reveal that they are still threatening the lives of Igbos and their property in Lagos State,” they said.

    The Elders said, during the meeting critically reviewed the Igbo experiences in Nigeria and unanimously agreed that Igbos since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 have remained committed towards peace, progress and economic development of Nigeria.

  • Nigeria Decides: Ohanaeze speaks on the emergence of Bola Tinubu as President-elect

    Nigeria Decides: Ohanaeze speaks on the emergence of Bola Tinubu as President-elect

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, has finally made comments  on the 2023 presidential election in the country.

    According to the body, Peter Obi’s presidency is not destined to happen in 2023.

    Ohanaeze claimed that the success of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the winner of the presidential election a welcome development and pleasing to the heart.

    This was disclosed via a statement on Sunday by the Director General, Implementation and Strategic Planning, of the group, Ambassador Tony Chiemelu Obizoba,.

    The statement reads in part: “The group visualises the success of the APC flagbearer in the election contest as one that will lead to unifying Nigerians for a focused development plan that will follow. Tinubu is capable, and we have no doubt in his capacity to ensure the continuity of the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari, which are apparent, indisputably correct and will continue to stand as good legacies for generations of leaders to come.

    “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo congratulates Peter Obi for creating an unprecedented commitment to changing the status quo with a hitherto unpopular political party, making great sweeps of votes across all regions but North West of Nigeria to finish an “unputdownable” third position.

    This Igbo umbrella body will continue to remember Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, as one who, despite all odds, laboured hard to actualise a Nigerian President from the Igboland. However, God has not destined it to happen in 2023. It may happen later. God spares the life of everybody.

    “It would not be out of place to also congratulate the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ‘s presidential candidate, His Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar GCON, on his effort that ended in second position. Across the top three political parties were Igbo sons and daughters, who made the frantic effort because, as APC, PDP and LP, there are Igbo people who notably campaigned and voted.

    “However, the bloc votes for Peter Obi in the South East should not be seen by anyone as anti-other Nigerians. It is more to show that the Igbo do not hate themselves, as some Nigerians say. In all, the general performances of the candidates across parties have given this group the confidence to agree that the emergence of one of them, who is Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is well deserved and we say congratulations!

    “We also want to seize this opportunity to call on some elements in Lagos State, who see the vote for Labour Party’s Peter Obi as hate by Igbo people and who are, therefore, now threatening the lives of Igbo. It should not be so. From the investigations by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, the vote in Lagos was not solely an Igbo thing but a decisive voting system by a rainbow movement of people from across the tribes, who live and do business in Lagos State. It should be seen more as Nigerians across tribes exercising their franchise to freely vote to choose their leaders in a democracy as enshrined and guaranteed in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Those who are circulating videos, threatening and drumming the sounds of war over the coming governorship and House of Assembly elections of March 11, 2023, in Lagos State because of Igbo people, should stop it in the national interest of Nigeria and the collective good of the masses of the Nigerian people.

    “We would not end this press statement without having to extol the grand performance of President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, the General Lucky Irabor-led Nigerian Armed Forces, the IGP Usman Alkali Baba-led Nigeria Police Force and the Alhaji Yusuf Magaji Bichi-led Department of State Service (DSS) as well as the leadership of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for their neutrality that brought whatever challenges emanating from the recent voting exercise to the barest minimum.

    “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly Worldwide, therefore, calls on the President, the security forces and security/intelligence agencies to improve on the performances of the last election to make the governorship and national assembly elections of March 11 more commendable.”

  • Ohanaeze cautions Enugu politician against inciting violence

    Ohanaeze cautions Enugu politician against inciting violence

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide on Sunday called on senator-elect for Enugu North Senatorial zone, Okey Ezea, not to set the state ablaze with his comment on ‘do or die’.

    While reminding him that it would be very dangerous to throw stones into a marketplace, as the victim cannot be known, the organisation advised him to withdraw that comment for the sake of peace in Enugu State.

    Ezea was said to have told his constituents that the forthcoming governorship election would be a do-or-die affair.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said Ezea’s alleged utterances should be condemned by all lovers of democracy.

    He described as shocking the fact that Ezea who benefited from the goodwill and political tsunami led by Peter Obi could turn around to instigate violence in his first public utterance as a Senator-elect to call on the youths to go and engage in crisis.

    He said, “We, the Ohanaeze youths, reject in its entirety the inciting statement credited to the Enugu North Senator-elect, Barr. Okey Ezea wherein he was describing the March 11 governorship election as a do or die affair.

    “We find it so awkward that Ezea’s first public utterance as a Senator-elect is to call on the youths to go and engage in violence. This is totally unacceptable and should be resisted by every Enugu youth.

    “The youths must say no to politicians who would want to use them to cause mayhem in Enugu State. We should not forget that it is very dangerous to throw stones into a marketplace, you never can tell who will be the victim.

    “We warn Okey Ezea to stop instigating violence in Enugu State that governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has made peaceful since the inception of his administration.

    “We call on him to immediately withdraw that divisive and inciting statement without further delay.

    “This should also serve as a serious warning to other politicians who may want to toe this path. The youths will not take it lightly with such a person. We shall employ all legal means to bring such a person to justice.”

  • 2023 Elections: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council denies endorsing Obi

    2023 Elections: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council denies endorsing Obi

    Barely two weeks to the commencement of the  2023 general elections in the country, the youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council worldwide has declared that the body is yet to endorse any presidential candidate.

    Meanwhile, almost all the regional organizations have endorsed their choice of Presidential candidate.

    However, the National President of OYC, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike told journalists in a statement on Saturday that it was yet to endorse any candidate.

    Okwu said the Igbo body was still consulting before taking a stand ahead of the February 25 presidential polls as many Igbo sons are on the ballot.

    He noted that, “we are delighted that as Nigerians go to the polls this February 25, we have capable Igbo sons vying for the presidency.

    “Among them is Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who is the presidential candidate. We also have Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, who is the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Justice Peter Umeadi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, among others.”

    “These are all our capable, tested and trusted Igbo leaders who have distinguished themselves in various leadership roles.

    “It is based on this that we are still consulting to finally make our stand known on our choice candidate for the presidential election. This decision will be taken in the next couple of days,” he further stated.