Apex Igbo sociocultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has restated its unalloyed support for President Bola Tinubu‘s commitment to fight corruption, insurgency, banditry and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze, however, criticized the statement made by the acting national youth leader, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, who suggested giving Betta Edu, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, the benefit of doubt until investigations into her alleged N583m financial wrongdoing are completed.
The youth body characterized the accusations against Edu as an “administrative infelicity” rather than a financial heist, citing confirmation from the Accountant General that she did not authorize the payment.
Ohanaeze, which described the remark by the youth body a reckless, saying Okpalaezeukwu’s press statement failed woefully by all standards of logic, common sense, rhyme, reason, interests and all the known norms and traditions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
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In a statement issued on Friday, January 19, through the national publicity secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu further described the press release as extremely impetuous, imprudent, unreflective, despicable, harebrained, intolerable and at variance with the philosophy of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The Igbo leader explained that the Igbo credo is anchored on hard work, resourcefulness, transparency, equity, fairness and an enabling environment for the Igbo ingenuity and entrepreneurship to find full expressions in Nigeria.
He therefore wondered why leader of the youth body, Okpalaezeukwu would dabble into the activities of the anti-corruption agencies as it affects Edu.
“Once more, emphasis is made that Ohanaeze Ndigbo represents the history, emotions and consciousness of the Igbo; and that Ohanaeze serves as the Igbo sacred temple which should not, by any stretch of imagination, be desecrated upon by youthful rascality, imprudence and perversions.
“It is therefore, highly inconceivable that a young man would wake up and issue a press release in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with neither clearance nor consultations with the leadership.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide lends unalloyed support to President Bola Tinubu commitment to fight corruption, insurgency, banditry and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria; and vehemently dissociates itself from the Okpalaaezeukwu youthful exuberance”, Ohanaeze said.