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Tag: Ohanaeze Ndigbo

  • Encomiums as late Ohaneze Ndigbo PG, Obiozor is laid to rest

    Encomiums as late Ohaneze Ndigbo PG, Obiozor is laid to rest

    The remains of the late President-General (P-G) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor, were laid to rest on Friday in his Awo-Omamma country home, Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.

    Eminent Nigerians, who attended the funeral service held at the Assumpta Cathedral Owerri, took turn to pay tribute to the late Igbo icon.

    In a tribute, President Mohammadu Buhari described Obiozor as a “renowned academician, diplomat, statesman, patriot and foremost Igbo leader”.

    Buhari, represented by the Minister of State for Science and Technology, Chief Henry Ikoh, said Obiozor’s passion about Nigeria propelled him to return to the country to serve in various positions.

    He said, “Prof. Obiozor’s outstanding public service career left indelible marks on the sands of time.”

    Also, Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo said with the death of Obiozor, Nigeria had lost a walking encyclopedia on foreign policy and diplomacy.

    Uzodimma said: “With the death of Obiozor, the entire South East has lost a consummate and compassionate leader, whose inclusive, insightful, decisive and innovative style was beginning to bear enormous fruits in our relationship with our neighbours and allies.

    “We may have our differences. We may have disagreed in the past but the best thing that can be given to a man like George Obiozor is the last respect and honour.

    “The Igbo race has lost a gem. Nigeria has lost a star and Imo has lost a man that can best be described as a global encyclopedia.

    “But we take heart knowing full well that as generous as he was on earth, as God-fearing as he was, that Almighty God will have mercy on him,” the governor further said.

    Uzodimma also urged the late Obiozor’s family to take heart and put their trust in God.

    In a condolence message, former President Olusegun Obasanjo described the deceased as an outstanding diplomat, who brought his unique knowledge and experience into the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international community.

    “Amb. Obiozor had no doubt come a long in his multi-faceted career as a political scientist, policy analyst, administrator and diplomat.

    “It is instructive that his name, in the last four decades, has become something of a recurrent decimal in our foreign affairs and international relations.

    “Obiozor would be fondly and proudly remembered as a foremost multilateralist, an erudite scholar, a passionate nationalist and diplomatic legend of international repute,” Obasanjo stated.

    In a tribute, the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also described Obiozor as “a keen intellect, a sharp wit and a gifted observer of the Nigerian condition”.

    For the Dan Malikin Kano, Amb. Ahmed Umar, the late Igbo icon was an erudite scholar, a diplomat’s diplomat and an intellectual to the core.

    “More interestingly, a very pragmatic leader, whose mastery of international relations is so incisive that he could describe any human problem through the prism of international relations,” Umar added.

    The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, described Obiozor’s death as a “great loss”.

    Abubakar stated that the late Igbo leader was an elder statesman of repute, strong pillar of support to the family and entire nation.

    “His wise counsel, especially in times of crisis, will surely be missed by all,” the Sultan stated in his tribute.

    Earlier in a sermon, the Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Moses Chikwe, urged Christians not to see death as an end but a means to eternity.

    “That is why we should keep good relationship every day, obey the commandments and trust in God.

    “God is always with us, especially at difficult and trying moments of our lives,” Chikwe said.

    He also prayed for the peaceful repose of Obiozor’s soul.

    The remains of the deceased were taken at the end of the service in a long motorcade from Owerri to his country home for interment.

    In attendance at the ceremony were the Secretary-General of the spex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Amb. Okey Emuchay, and former P-G of the body, Chief Gary Igariwey.

    Also present were the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clarke, who was represented by Gen. Collins Ihekire (rtd.) and the executive members of Middle Belt Forum, led by Mr Ben Atatah.

    Elder statesman, Chief Chris Iwuanyawu, former Senate President, Adophus Wabara, former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd.), former Minister of Health, Dr ABC Nwosu and former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Kema Chikwe, were also present, amongst others.

  • Ohanaeze commiserates with Abia governor, Ikpeazu over Ikonne’s death

    Ohanaeze commiserates with Abia governor, Ikpeazu over Ikonne’s death

    The  Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed shock and grief at the sudden death of the governorship candidate of  Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in Abia state, Professor Uche Eleazar Ikonne.

    He was aged of 67.

    Ohanaeze has now consoled Abia state govenor, Okezie Ikpeazu over the death of Ikonne

    Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, described Ikonne’s death as unfortunate while extolling the exemplary and outstanding virtues of the deceased while alive.

    The pan-Igbo organization noted the immense contributions, ideas, and uncommon roles of Ikonne in the medical profession, academic development, and stability of Abia State, and the entire South East.

    Isiguzoro aded that  the deceased’s way of life was worthy of emulation.

    “peaceful disposition earned him numerous appointments including [as] Rector Abia State Polytechnic Aba, 7th Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University Ututu and the PDP ticket for the Abia guber elections.”

    Ohanaeze further grieved that Ikonne died at a time his vast and rich wealth of experience, lofty ideas, and wise counselling are needed towards “consolidating numerous monumental giant strides achieved by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration in the past seven years in Abia state.”

    A statement by Isiguzoro reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo call on the Government of Abia State to immortalize late Professor Ikonne for his patriotism and unquantifiable sacrifices. The new Government House should be named after the deceased.

    “And we equally want to use this medium to call on the state government to honour this great gentleman with an organized befitting burial interment for his supportive sacrifices.”

    The apex Igbo group consoled the Ikonne family, the PDP in Abia State, the government, and the people of Abia state on the shocking demise of “this worthy Igbo leader.”

  • Ohanaeze Ndigbo releases funeral plans for late PG, Obiozor

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo releases funeral plans for late PG, Obiozor

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has announced the burial arrangement for its late President-General (P-G), Prof. George Obiozor.

    The Secretary-General of body, Amb. Okey Emuchay, announced this on Saturday, while briefing newsmen at the end of the National Executive Council’s (NEC) second emergency meeting held at the Ohanaeze National Secretariat, Enugu.

    Emuchay said that the late diplomat would be buried in his home-town, Awo-Omamma in Imo on Saturday, Feb. 10.

    He said: “As you are aware, our Deputy President-General, High Chief Joel Kroham, who also died last year will be buried on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Ahoda in Rivers.

    “We are going to have a valedictory session at our national secretariat in the particular building renovated during his tenure and the present building where we hold our Imeobi meetings.

    “We are going to have activities to honour him at other state Ohanaeze chapters, especially Lagos, and the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he served as Director-General.

    “Other groups and chapters of the apex Igbo socio-cultural in Abuja want to organise events to also honour him.

    “We as NEC members will also have our own valedictory session to honour him.”

    Emuchay said that a one-time PG of the group, Chief Garry Igariwey, was appointed the Chairman of the Burial Committee, while the Imo Chapter President, Mr C.B. Ihenedu, would serve as the Secretary.

    He said that all the NEC members, plus other state chapter members and stakeholders of the body, would serve as committee members.

    He said that NEC agreed to constitute a Central Planning Committee and other special sub-committees to organise a befitting burial for the deceased.

    Emuchey lamented that it was the first time in the history of Ohanaeze, that two vital seats of the body would become vacant and with two of its helms men in the mortuary at the same time.

    “But Ohanaeze wants to assure everybody that the ship of the group is in safe hands.

    “We will pass through this very difficult period with grace and get stronger,” he said.

    Emuchay said that the body would make sure that the two leaders and First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, were all accorded befitting burials.

    He appealed to Ohanaeze members and its various chapters and structures in Nigeria and in Disapora to take out time to be part of the ceremonies.

    According to him, the various chapters and structures have been directed to open condolence registers for people to have the opportunity to say goodbye to our great brothers.

    “Formal letters will go to the Governors of the seven Ohanaeze states of Abia, Anambra, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers, leaders of our partners in Southern Nigeria, Middle Belt and Northern Elders’ Forums.

    “We’ve been in touch with them and they are shocked at what happened.

    “So, we will write to them formally as we have done for the seven governors,” he said.

    He further said that the group would write other eminent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to convey the new burial date to them.

    The one-time Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Cyprus and Ambassador to Israel and the U.S. was elected Ohanaeze P-G on Jan. 9, 2021.

    He died on Dec. 26, 2022 at the age of 80.

  • NIIA mourns passage of Prof George Achulike Obiozor

    NIIA mourns passage of Prof George Achulike Obiozor

    The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) has mourned the passing on of Prof George Achulike Obiozor, the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    This is contained in a statement by Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae, describing the late Prof Obiozor as a foremost nationalist, scholar, administrator, diplomat, and global citizen.

    According to NIIA in the statement, “Boy George”, as he was fondly called by members of the NIIA family, was one of the Institute’s greatest endowments to Nigeria’s successes in the complex world of international affairs.

    “He will be greatly missed,” the statement partly reads.

    The statement reads in full: “The Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa E. Osaghae, on behalf of all past Directors-General, past and present Councils, Fellows, Management and Staff of the Institute, mourns the passage of H.E. Professor George Achulike Obiozor, CON, a foremost nationalist, scholar, administrator, diplomat, and global citizen.

    “Professor was most recently the President-General of the apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze-Ndigbo, the capacity in which, as an advocate of equity and justice, he hosted his last major outing on the state of the nation at the NIIA.

    “In this and other engagements of his eventful life, Professor Obiozor demonstrated unalloyed zest for strengthening our capacity to actualize Nigeria’s manifest destiny as an African and global leader.

    “Prof. Obiozor obtained the doctorate degree in International Relations in 1976 from the prestigious Columbia University, New York, USA, and was Director-General of the NIIA, Nigeria’s apex Foreign Policy think-tank in 1991-1999.

    “He subsequently became Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the State of Israel, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Cyprus (1999-2003), and Ambassador to the United States of America (2004-2008). Professor Obiozor left an indelible mark on the diplomatic turf.

    “A prolific writer on International Relations, Prof. Obiozor had several eminent works to his credit, including Nigeria and the World: Managing the Politics of Diplomatic Ambivalence in a Changing world; The Politics of Precarious Balancing: Analysis of Contending Issues in Nigeria’s Domestic and Foreign Policy; and The United States and the Nigerian Civil War.

    “As an astute administrator and visioner, Professor Obiozor led the NIIA along the paths of excellence as a world institute in Africa, and contributed greatly to the blossoming of the golden era of Nigeria’s foreign policy as a global leader – indeed, his diplomatic engagements had the imprint of a successful blending of theory and practice of international relations.

    ““Boy George”, as he was fondly called by members of the NIIA family, was one of the Institute’s greatest endowments to Nigeria’s successes in the complex world of international affairs. He will be greatly missed.

    “The NIIA Management and Staff identifies with the Obiozor family and our dear country Nigeria at this grieving time, even as we are consoled by the fact that Prof. Obiozor lived a life worthy of emulation as a scholar, diplomat, nationalist, elder statesman, and global citizen. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace”.

  • Atiku mourns Obiozor, says an Iroko has fallen

    Atiku mourns Obiozor, says an Iroko has fallen

    Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar on Thursday mourned the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor.

    The former Vice President, in a statement personally signed by him in Abuja, said that he received the news of Prof. Obiozor’s death with rude shock.

    Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo announced the death on Wednesday in Owerri.

    Abubakar condoled with the entire body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the South-East part of Nigeria, and the country as a whole over “the fall of an Iroko”.

    He described the death of the late former Nigerian ambassador to several foreign missions as a huge loss for the country.

    He described late Obiozor as a charismatic personality, who was much at home in any part of Nigeria.

    “He was a consummate diplomat who believed in consensus, and had a stabilizing influence.

    “His wide experience in diplomatic foreign missions garnered over decades and across diverse postings, came in very handy in making him a pan-Nigerian.

    “Prof. Obiozor taught us the essence of large-heartedness because he was generally accepted by even those who were not in support of his candidacy during the election that saw his emergence as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    “He was a master of political consensus. A writer famous for his ‘politics of precarious balancing’ in which he espoused balancing the diverse interests in the country.

    “He was a promoter of the unity of the nation. Igbo nation will miss him. The whole nation will miss him.”

    Abubakar prayed for a peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and his immediate family to have the fortitude to bear the loss of its patriarch.

  • Ohanaeze: Gov Uzodimma confirms death of George Obiozor

    Ohanaeze: Gov Uzodimma confirms death of George Obiozor

    Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has confirmed the death of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George Obiozor.

    According to Governor Uzodimma in a terse statement, the death of the foremost Igbo leader is a big loss to the State, the South East and the entire country.

    Uzodimma in the statement disclosed that the burial arrangements of Prof Obiozor would be announced in due course by the family.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of the government and people of Imo state, I, Sen Hope Uzodimma, the Executive Governor of Imo state, sorrowfully announce the passage of a great Son of Imo state and Nigeria, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, worldwide, Prof George OBIOZOR.

    “A renowned academic, an exceptional diplomat and statesman and a tenacious patriot, Prof George Obiozor passed on recently after a brief illness.

    “The death of this foremost Igbo leader and former NIGERIA’S ambassador to the United States and the State of Israel is a big loss to Imo state, the South East and entire Nigeria.

    “I have no doubt that both Nigeria and the international community will miss his profound intellectual contributions and wise counsel on national and global issues.

    “His burial arrangements will be announced in due course by the family May his great and gentle soul rest in peace”.

  • Ohanaeze Ndigbo denies electing new national youth leader

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo denies electing new national youth leader

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people, has denied media reports that Mr Livinus Obasi has been elected its new National Youth Leader.

    The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr Alex Ogbonnia, made the denial in an interaction with newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

    Ogbonnia said that although the Organisation’s erstwhile Youth Leader, Mr Damian Okafor, was suspended, the National Executive Council (NEC), led by its President-General, Prof. George Obiozor, was still working hard to settle the issues that led to his suspension.

    Ogbonnia, a former Chairman of the Organisation in Enugu, called on the general public not to be misguided by “deceitful media reports of a purported bye-election” to replace the suspended Youth Leader, adding that such reports were the handiwork of mischief makers.

    “It is true that Okafor was suspended, but the NEC is working assiduously to resolve the issues, and when we do, the public will be duly informed.

    “The NEC is not aware of any bye-election to replace Okafor. The said election lacks credibility; is not known to us, and was neither approved nor supervised by us. We therefore refuse to recognise Obasi as youth leader “, he said.

    Speaking, Secretary of Ohanaeze Youth Wing in Rivers, Mr Chika Onuoha, denied being part of the election and advised the Organisation’s youths to desist from acts capable of causing disunity among its members.

    He restated his support for the Obiozor-led NEC, adding that anything to the contrary would amount to insubordination and unruly behaviour.

    “Those of us in Rivers will not work against the NEC because in Prof. Obiozor, we have a leader of high repute.
    “We were not part of the said election that produced Obasi and we will exhaust all legal channels as we vehemently oppose moves to parade him as the new National Youth Leader,” he said.

  • 2023 Election: Ohanaeze lauds Afenifere, Middle-Belt leaders for endorsing Peter Obi

    2023 Election: Ohanaeze lauds Afenifere, Middle-Belt leaders for endorsing Peter Obi

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has lauded regional bodies Afenifere and the Middle-Belt Forum for their endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

    Ohanaeze also described Labour Party’s Peter Obi as a national movement ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country.

    This was contained in a statement signed and released on Tuesday by the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and made available to Newsmen.

    He further explained  through the statement that there was an orchestrated plot by an unnamed South-East Governor to procure a fake endorsement for an infamous presidential candidate.

    Ohanaeze advised the Igbo Governor against using monetary inducements and fake appointments “to lure a section of Ohanaeze chieftains to endorse an unpopular and despised Presidential candidate ahead of the popular choice of Nigerians, the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi.”

    It warned that “the desperation of this South-East Governor will sink him politically.

    “His stock in trade is to always go contrary and adverse to the popular position of Ndigbo because he’s a poor student of history. His plan to use the brand name of Ohanaeze to play dirty politics for an unpopular candidate has been discovered and he should repent or be retired from active politics. No amount of persuasion and inducement will reverse the position of Ndigbo in 2023.

    “On this note, Ohanaeze warns the said South-East Governor and a few chieftains of Ohanaeze Ndigbo not to use our name for monetary endorsement of any Presidential candidate.

    “Ndigbo and Nigerians should know that any future endorsement by any section of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is imaginary and counterfeit, coined by the adversaries of the people.

    “Surely, this time around, all the intending Igbo political saboteurs will be disgraced at the polls. Igbo’s position for 2023 is in line with Afenifere and Middle-Belt Forum that Mr. Peter Obi is Nigeria’s trend and movement for taking back Nigeria by Nigerians in 2023″.

    Ohanaeze stressed that “the Labour Party Candidate, Mr. Peter Obi is not an Igbo Presidency movement but rather a Nigerian Project anchored on capacity, competence, and character.

    “This clarification has become necessary for posterity’s sake. Ohanaeze join other ethnic groups like Afenifere, Middle-Belt Forum and PANDEF to insist that the rotational presidency between North and South is a must for equity and a Southern President should succeed President Buhari’s in 2023.

    “We applaud the respected leaderships of Afenifere and Middle-Belt Forum for the adoption of Mr. Peter Obi as the best among other Presidential candidates based on age, fairness, competence and track records of accomplishment in governance which have been assessed and verified by Nigerians.

    “This is the height of nationalism and patriotism by the leadership of the Southern and middle belt forum.

    “We urge the Ondo Governor Akeredolu and his South-East counterpart to remember that Afenifere elders mean well for Nigeria and Obi’s Presidency will favor the Yoruba people and the Northern Nigeria”.

    “Nigeria has departed from the era of the Yoruba Presidency, Fulani Presidency, Igbo presidency, or the Ijaw presidency, sectionalism or ethnicity has been defeated as it remains the cause of corrupt governments.”

    “In 2023, Nigerians are committed to providing a credible leadership devoid of religious and ethnic sentiments, but a president who will end medical tourism by the political elites and rebuild strong institutions that will reposition the country as the Giant of Africa”.

  • We’re against violent agitation in Nigeria – Ohanaeze

    We’re against violent agitation in Nigeria – Ohanaeze

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, says the body is against violent agitation in any form because the group believes in the continued corporate existence of the country.

    The group stated this at a news conference on Monday in Abakaliki as part of activities marking the 62 anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule and the 26 anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State in Nigeria.

    The body which spoke through Dr Peter Mbam, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ebonyi chapter, however, noted that the body was against all forms of marginalisation, including social injustice and misgovernance.

    He said that Ohanaeze as a social-cultural body representing the interest of the Igbo race both within and in the Diaspora, had the responsibility to protect the Igbo citizens in every part of the world.

    He said: “As the name implies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is responsible for the protection of Ndigbo Worldwide. There’s no part of the world where you will not find an Igbo man or Igbo people.

    “In Nigeria, Ohanaeze supports all agitations that support the interest of Ndigbo and any other marginalised group.

    “We work with governments at all levels; the federal, state and local governments to ensure that the citizens get what they expect from the leadership of the country.

    “We want to make sure that their religious, economic and political interests are secured.

    “We are advocates for lawful approach in solving critical national problems; we believe in diplomacy and round table approach and do not support Ndigbo to leave Nigeria.

    “We still want to be in Nigeria. We want a restructured Nigeria where social justice, fairness, equity and equality will reign supreme and we want a Nigeria where we will be treated not as second-class citizens.”

    The group reiterated its support and solidarity with Gov. Dave Umahi’s administration because of the many life-changing and human-oriented projects the administration initiated and completed.

    “We have taken time to appraise what our governor is doing in this state, having gone round the three zones of the state. We did that again last week as part of activities to mark the creation of 26 years of Ebonyi.

    “We inspected nine gigantic projects and concluded that Umahi has performed beyond imagination and expectations.

    “We were not anticipating what we are seeing now; we will provide enabling environment for his administration to succeed and do more.

    “We look at the governor’s security architecture and discovered that Ebonyi is the only state where you can sleep with your eyes closed.

    “We are appreciative of the governor’s empathy and sympathy for the less privileged and the strive to make life meaningful through the series of economic empowerment he gave to the youths,” the group said.

    On the 2023 general elections, the group expressed the need for all the political actors to ensure that the elections would be peaceful to deliver the desired outcome.

    “We want the election of next year to be the most peaceful. We will go down to the grassroots to deliver our message; you don’t equip the young men to go against your political opponents, we want them to see themselves as contestants, that’s what we are talking about,” Mbam added.

    The group said that maintaining the power rotation in the state would serve the best interest of all the three geopolitical zones constituting the state and also affirmed their unalloyed support for Umahi that power should move to Ebonyi North senatorial zone.

    “We, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo family in Ebonyi are united. We share the same philosophy and ideology. We believe in the Senatorial zones. We are supporting our governor that power should shift to the Ebonyi North.

    ”It started with the Ebonyi North in 1999, moved to Ebonyi Central in 2007 and 2015 it got to Ebonyi South, it’s in line with nature with the law of equity that it should go back to the North in 2023,” they said.

  • 2023 Elections: Bribery allegations rock Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    2023 Elections: Bribery allegations rock Ohanaeze Ndigbo

    The Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been rocked with bribery allegations ahead of the 2023 presidential election in the country.

    This is not the first time the Igbo Organization is rocked with bribery allegations prior to a general election in the country.

    In previous elections, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been accused of collecting money to the tune of millions of naira from many different presidential candidates.

    In 2019, Ohanaeze endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in spite of stiff opposition from members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the South-East zone. The development led to a sharp division in the group.

    Currently, a video clip has gone viral on the internet claiming that the group demanded payments from one comrade Kennedy Iyera as a condition to support a Nigerian presidential candidate from the South East.

    Some unnamed Ohanaeze leaders were said to have demanded money as a condition to participate in a meeting for a facilitation of Nigeria president of Igbo extraction.

    However, the spokesman of the Prof. George Obiozor-led Ohanaeze, Chief Alex Ogbonnia has rubbished the claims, noting that the Ohanaeze had always been at the forefront of the push for a South-East presidency.

    He added that the group regretted ever supporting the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2019 general elections.

    He posited that the travails presently facing the Igbos are ripple effects of their supporter ship of Atiku in 2019 general elections in the country..

    Ogbonnia dismissed the bribery claim as the most “fallacious, mendacious and callous of all the falsehoods aimed at tarnishing the image of the Igbo as the Judas category that values money more than human conscience.”

    According to him, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo took the advocacy for a president from the South East of Nigeria to all parts of Nigeria, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar III; Chief E K Clarke, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the British High Commission and so many other places.

    While insisting on president of South East extraction, he restated that he wrote to Atiku to remind him that their support for him in 2019 was the cause of the current travails of the Igbos.

    “I also wrote to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, reminding him that the current Igbo travails are as a result of our support to his candidacy in 2019. A simple search on the internet will reveal that Ohanaeze had made numerous press releases urging Nigerians and the international community to lend support to the quest by the South East for presidency.

    “On December 13, 2021, I personally addressed an Open Letter to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, reminding him that it is the turn of the South East to produce a president for Nigeria and urging him not to contest the 2023 presidency on the grounds of equity, justice and fairness.

    “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo further propagated the advocacy to the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders (SMBLF) led by Chief E K Clarke, and Chief Nnia Nwodo as the Coordinator General. Other leaders of the SMBLF include Chief Ayo Adebanjo, the Leader of the Afenifere; Dr Pogu Bitrus, Leader, Middle Belt Forum, among others. Our gratitude goes to the SMBLF for their irrevocable position to support an Igbo of the South East for presidency in 2023. Similarly, we thank Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for receiving us in his Abeokuta residence about three times.

    “In the social media clip making the rounds, orchestrated by one Comrade Kennedy Iyere, he alleged that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Nnia Nwodo demanded payments from him to attend a meeting at Awka for a Nigerian president from the South East.

    “The truth of the matter: In October 2020, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene, former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter was contacted by Chief Iyere to invite the seven state presidents from the seven Ohanaeze States.

    “Ogene explained to Iyere that members would be coming to Awka from distant places such as Port Harcourt, Owerri, Aba, Ebonyi and that it would not be possible for them to go back to their locations on the same day. Iyere promised to secure hotel accommodation for the seven persons, and that he would also pay for their transport costs.

    “At the meeting in one hotel at Awka, Iyere was seated with White men and he highlighted the unbearable injustice to the Igbo by the past Nigerian leaders and the equity in a South Easterner to become the president of Nigeria come 2023.”

    “Paradoxically, we were very delighted and also curious that a non-Igbo and White men were championing an Igbo cause. At the end of the meeting, he pleaded with us to manage seventy thousand naira (N70, 000.00); that is, ten thousand naira each, as transport costs.

    “Some of us refused the money, while some others reasoned that it could be misinterpreted if we rejected the N10,000 each. I am rather shocked by the depravity and a kindergarten shenanigan with which Iyere painted his encounter with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo; that Ohanaeze Ndigbo demanded payment from him in order to support an Igbo for presidency,” he said.