The two factions of Ohaneze, the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, have united ending what seemed like an interminable feud between their leaders, writes OKODILI NDIDI
They hacked and pecked at each other so long that few believed the two leaders could ever iron out their difference. But indeed they did. Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey and Dr. Ralph Obioha, factional leaders of Ohaneze, have embraced each other, pledging to work together for the progress of their people.
In the last few years, it was almost unthinkable for these two Igbo leaders to cross paths, talk less of sitting in one room to deliberate on matters of Igbo interest. As the gulf between them widened, so was the disunity among the people they led.
The two factional leaders of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation have laid their differences to rest in the overall interest of the Igbo.
It was indeed an emotional reunion as they hugged and patted each other fondly with tears of joy and relief rolling down their cheeks, while their equally relieved followers reached out to each other in the newfound spirit of unity and brotherhood.
The journey to the reconciliation of the bitter crisis that had bedevilled the Igbo frontline group, which was a fallout of the general election of the body, was not a sudden flight but the product of the consistent efforts of the Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, who waded into the crisis to save the Igbo further embarrassment caused by the well-publicised leadership tussle.
After the Ohaneze election, Igariwey and Obioha laid claim to the position of the President-General. All entreaties by concerned Igbo leaders and groups who felt that the crisis was an embarrassment to Ndigbo. But the two Generals stuck to their guns and rebuffed all entreaties for peace.
They both set up their respective executives and worked at cross purposes with each other but after the reconciliation, Obioha accepted to drop his claim to the President-General of Ohaneze and accepted to work with and support Igariwey to succeed as the only President-General of the organisation.
The reconciliation of the two factions had come at the end of a marathon meeting between the two leaders and members of their executive, as well as delegates from the states that make up Ohaneze, at the Government House Owerri which was presided over by the Imo governor.
It was agreed that the tenure of Chief Igariwey be extended by one year, after which a fresh election would be conducted to elect new leaders for the body.
All those suspended from the organisation in the course of the crisis between the two factions were also recalled, while it was also resolved that all the court cases occasioned by the dispute would be withdrawn.
Thereafter, a 17-member committee that would see to the implementation of all that was agreed including the issue of election was set up, with Obioha as Chairman, while the five Governors of the Southeast will produce one member each.
In his speech at the historic event, Governor Okorocha expressed joy that the Ohaneze family is back as one, ”there is peace now in Ohaneze. The Ohaneze with Chief Igariwey as President-General is the umbrella body to champion the course of the Igbo. Today, we have proven to the world that Ndigbo are their brothers’ keepers.”
Okorocha continued that, “the President-General of Ohaneze will soon address the Igbo nation. All Igbo must join hands with the Ohaneze leadership to move Igbo nation forward. With this peace, we are going to see a new kind of support for Ohaneze. The rest of the world will hear about the Igbo nation. The jinx has been broken.
“With this peace we are going to emphasize on the economy of the South-East rather than politics. We shall make it, with God on our side. The old things have passed away and behold new things are taking place. And I want to commend all my brothers and sisters here for this peace in Ohaneze. This is a new Ohaneze that will move the Igbo nation forward.
“The governors will be behind the leadership and the entire NEC, so that a new song will be sung in the Igbo nation. I commend the President-General for keeping the Ohaneze spirit on, despite the lack of support from the stakeholders.”
Chief Igariwey and Obioha in their respective speeches noted that achieving peace in the leadership of Ohaneze and reconciling the two factions should be celebrated by all Igbo because according to them, the division had never augured well with the body and the interest of the Igbo in general”.
They commended Governor Okorocha for ensuring that peace and unity return to Ohaneze, and assured that they would not let the Igbos down. They said Ohaneze would now be occupied with issues that would boost the economy of Igbo land.
The two Igbo leaders, while addressing journalists, assured that “the world would now know the Igbos better that they disagree to agree in the overall interest of the Igbo nation and her people”.
Commenting on the development, Nze Ubani Ikwuruku, described it as a healthy development that will position Ndigbo at a vantage position in the current polity.
He stated further that, “every Igbo man but at home and in the Diaspora will be gladdened by this news. It will galvanise other Igbo groups in finding solutions to the current challenges in the zone. Now we can now speak with one voice and we will be heard and respected”.
