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Tag: Ohanaeze Ndigbo

  • Ohanaeze: Ndigbo should be ready for self-defence

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on Ndigbo to reactivate its local defence outfits in readiness against alleged threats by Miyetti Allah to invade the Southeast.

    The group, in a communiqué by the President- General, Nnia Nwodo, said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has noted the assertion and denial of Miyetti Allah that the Southeast will soon boil. We are waiting for them.”

    It directed Ndigbo to be vigilant and await “our next directives after consultations with our political and religious leaders, legislators, traditional rulers, town unions and affiliate organisations”.

    The group frowned at “ongoing negotiations between the Federal Government and Miyetti Allah to give them a grant of N100 billion and queried: “Why these gun trotting militants are protected financially and insulated from criminal prosecution, while IPOB, an armless group of Igbo, is proscribed and categorised as dangerous to national security, bugs our imagination”.

    Ohanaeze lamented that in the Southeast and Southwest, colossal ransoms are daily extorted from helpless citizens by kidnappers and many captives killed by the bandits.

    The statement reads: “In the Southeast and Southwest, kidnappings reveal a huge network of armed herdsmen camped in various bushes and farms. Local reports in some areas point to helicopters sighted in these bushes dropping arms and ammunitions in some of these occupied areas.

    “Several local and international mining companies have, without license, occupied parts of the north and engaged in continuous and inhibited illegal mining of Nigeria’s mineral resources, protected by local and foreign militia, and carting away and selling valuable mineral resources whose proceeds are undeclared in the national treasury, whereas oil deposits in the South are exploited and used for the benefit of the entire country.

    Read Also: Ekwueme to Ndigbo: we can’t allow parties divide us

    “A Muslim militant group, with all the features and characteristics of ISIS, is invading parts of Northern Nigeria, capturing district heads, stealing and rampaging in various communities and forcing Nigerians in these areas to flee from their homes, in some cases, away to neighbouring countries.

    “That in Kaduna and other parts of the Middle Belt, Miyetti Allah and their militant herdsmen have continued to kill, maim and destabilise Christian areas of these states with very little containment of these attackers by our national security forces.

    “What is most annoying is that very few arrests, seizures of arms or prosecution have been made in all these instances by our national security forces. The impression is created that their activities have the encouragement, sanction or acquiescence of our national security forces. In the President’s home state Katsina, the District Head of Daura has been in captivity for 32 days.”

    Ohanaeze concluded by re-emphasising that as long as the persisting situation subsists, the only solution is for the country to be restructured.

    It directed its youth wing, women wing and affiliate organisations to desist from issuing any statement on the state of the nation as long as the tense security situation of the country lasts.

  • Sit-at-home: Beef up security in Southeast, Ohaneze tells FG

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide on Thursday urged the federal government to beef up security in south east and south south geopolitical zones between May 29 and June 12.

    The youths said tension is rising in the two zones and urged the federal government to immediately rise to the occasion by acting now.

    The group listed Aba, Abakiliki,Awka, Afikpo,Enugu, Owerri,Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Sapele and Umuahia as places that require security tight in the two zones.

    President General of the youths, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro in a statement in Abakaliki, called on the presidency to reach out to Biafra agitators and Niger Delta militants before it is too late.

    He said “this is not the period of setting up Committee or cosmetics approach on the looming danger staring the people of South East and South in the face.

    ‘We are appealing to Presidency to reach out to Biafra agitators and Niger Delta Militia before it’s too late, with the current insecurity in the North, and impending showdown waiting for the  Presidency in the South East and South.

    Read Also: We can defend our own, Ohaneze warns Wabba

    “Nigeria is sitting at the edge of a keg of gunpowder waiting to explode, Federal Government and State  Governments should do the needful, there should be proper security in all the major towns of Aba, Abakiliki, Awka, Afikpo, Enugu, Owerri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Sapele, Umuahia between  May 29th and June 12th to secure lives and properties of the people of South East and South.

    “The signing of Executive Order banning the Use of Fire arms and revoking of License of Guns taking effect from June 1st 2019 on the day Niger Delta. Militia are threatening to declare the Niger Delta Republic and also the impending showdown that may likely occur between Sit at home Biafra Agitators and Security agents on 30th May 2019,are worrisome because the Second term of President Buhari may likely begin with bloodshed.”

    He added:  “We are fully aware that the introduction of the carrot and stick methods to reduce the nefarious activities of armed herdsmen and bandits by Presidency by (allegedly) dangling N100bn to the Meyieti Allah group had been hijacked for the purchase of Weapons for further the killings of People of Middle belt and Old Eastern Region, and should be resisted by the people.

    “Tough Times are here, Rise up and defend the land, Ohanaeze Youths urge The people of Old Eastern Region, nobody else can do it for you except us, Governors elected in Old Eastern Region should summon an urgent emergency meeting with Biafra Agitators and Niger Delta Militia before it’s too late.

    “This Preventive measure if neglected will spell doom In their different States,as most States will be declared States of Emergency, when the outcome of Civil disturbances will begin.

  • Is state police not the answer?

    The moment of truth has come. The reality has dawned on the privileged class that the danger is real. As targets of kidnapping, armed robbery and terrorism, the rich are crying.

    Senators are waking up from their deep slumber. Their constituencies are not insulated from crime that has the tendency of threatening their lives and those of their immediate families. Security is at its low ebb. In their view, state police is the answer.

    The agitation is just beginning to catch up with the proposals enjoined by pro-National Conference organisations, including Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Middle Belt Forum and other ethnic nationalities which have clamoured for true federalism, but without success.

    Many reasons have been adduced as justification for state, and even community policing. Intelligence gathering is central to general policing and security. But, how, for instance, can a policeman, a native of Kano, police successfully in Lagos State or Rumuokoro in Rivers State? He lacks the understanding of the geography, sociology, language, history and culture of his environment of operation. He may be a patriot, but, he is not emotionally attached to the ‘foreign’ environment.

    Read Also: State police: Learning from history

    Is it not better for a Kanuri to police Boko Haram-ravaged Borno communities, which he is familiar? Why are the local vigilance groups effective and successful in their localities? What is the strength of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), in the absence of the knowledge of the environment?

    Why is the Federal Government shying away from the possible? Have state governments not invested more in the state police commands than the Federal Government? Apart from the payment of salaries of policemen, states have been supplying vehicles and other tools.

    Nigeria has adopted a semblance of federal principle, but without implementing its full elements. Yet, its peculiarity as a nation-state of diverse national communities makes it compelling. Why should governors, who are Chief Security Officers in their respective states, depend on the distant power-loaded Federal Government and Inspector-General of Police for security of their domains? Why can’t state police commissioners take lawful orders from governors without clearance from Abuja? Why a unitary police formation in a federal country?

    The ghost of the past may still be hunting the country. Before and after independence, there was state or regional police. Its goal, like the Army’s, was regime protection. Then, policemen were tools in the hands of ruling parties and governments to oppress, intimidate and cow the opposition to submission.

    State police may underscore autonomy for states in matters of security. It may encourage contiguous states in a region to collaborate on fighting criminal activities.  But, how mature is the polity? What is the level of political culture that will accommodate innovation and ensure its workability? How mature are the governors who may misinterpret state police as additional powers of coercion meant to solidify their positions and cage their perceived foes? Governors control the state electoral bodies. The results of council polls are predictable. The opposition is always a loser. Grassroots democracy is violated because the hands of many governors are heavy on the state electoral agencies.

    But, does the advantage of state police not outweigh its disadvantage? Indisputably, the federal police have failed to halt the insecurity nationwide. Armed robbery, kidnapping and terrorism have continued unabated. Therefore, is the option not worth testing?

  • I’ll liberate Ndigbo from opposition politics in Lagos-Ohanaeze President

    When, at the peak of the campaigns for the recent governorship election in Lagos, Solomon Ogbonna, the current President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State, endorsed All Progressives Congress Babajide Sanwo-Olu, he was criticised by his opponents. In this interview with Assistant Editor, Yetunde Oladeide, he opened up on the role he played in the election in the state, the inspiration he got from the elders council of Ohanaeze and his recent challenges as his opponents accuse him of collecting money to endorse the governor-elect. Excerpts

    WHAT has been the experience as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State?

    I came into office in June last year as President after an election.  I won with 401 votes as against 201. During my campaign, I made some promises though we had no allocation but finance our projects through individual support. I thank God for a few of my brothers who stood by me and said Ohanaeze must stand. They promised to support me with all the promises that I made.

    Let’s talk about the promises you made and what you have been able to achieve?

    I must say that it’s been over twenty something years that they brought Ohanaeze to Lagos but they have no secretariat. I promised to do it and today we have the first Igbo secretariat, we call it Igbo house; Igbo embassy. That legacy is very important and everybody is so happy about it. The second promise is to remember the members of Ohanaeze who are widows. Then after that I talked about transparency. Those are the promises that I made. Even though there are some cabals who said that if I don’t share the money they gave to Ohanaeze members, they would stand against me.

    I think it is time for Ndigbo to come together and put their house in order. We should be talking about positions, how many ministers or Igbo commissioners we would get in Lagos State. They are fighting for what has no proof. The governor-elect is a very good man, he is a good Christian. They said Sanwoolu gave me 250 million naira on 3rd March, 2019 for endorsing him and that I have sold Ndigbo to APC in Lagos State.

    I am an estate developer and art collector. I have over 3000 masterpiece of African artwork in my possession. Some of those who are speculating and peddling these rumors also do not know me. They said I bought three vehicles, one white Hilux, Porche Cayenne and Lexus Jeep with the money. Before I became Ohanaeze President in Lagos, I have series of cars and I think they did not know the cars that I have. We know the people doing this. Another group said he first gave me 66 million naira and that I also got another 150 million naira from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Since I was born, I have not sat with Tinubu for one day. I always see him on television, I have never met him.

    Why did you endorse Sanwoolu; what were the qualities that you saw in him?

    I knew Jimi Agbaje before I knew Sanwoolu. In 2015, I went to the UK and got some materials for Jimi Agbaje’s campaign. In 2019, I took Jimi Agbaje to where they raised funds for him here in Nigeria. But I told him where my loyalty was. It is not about party, it is about the individual. Sanwoolu has the quality; I can never forget my first contact with Sanwoolu. I found out that he is the best thing that can happen to Ndigbo, instead of running into opposition all the time and complaining. I will never regret bringing them to the right position in Lagos State, whether Sanwoolu recognises it or not. What I still tell my people is that there is nowhere in the world where the tenant will be bigger than his landlord. We are the guests, we must obey our landlord. One of the reasons I decided to take this decision is that since I was young, I leverage on the culture and the tradition of people because I am into arts. The Yoruba’s never deviated, no matter how educated they are, they can never intimidate you with their profile, instead they will hide under their culture and tradition. But my own people are very good in intimidation, big profile and millions of certificates. Everybody wants to be a leader; they assess your quality of leadership by who is your father. Is my father a minister or governor of a state? Is my brother or mother in the senate? For me, take it or leave it, I am an ordained child.

    Would you say your support for Sanwoolu has been recognised?

    I am not in a hurry for what Sanwoolu or Lagos State would do for me. I feel that we are still learning when it comes to leadership in Africa. However, I believe that from what I have seen, he and his deputy, Hamzat would perform. I believe that Sanwoolu would carry me along, not only me but Ndigbo. The sacrifice for me is to liberate Ndigbo from opposition politics in Lagos State. That is my benefits.

    If you had to pick three best political leaders, who would you choose?

    I will choose what I will call the three among the best leaders that Nigeria has ever produced in politics. I will mention Ebitu Ukiwe, the former vice president to IBB. Then the next person for me is Lateef Kayode Jakande and Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I have my reasons. Yes, Ebitu Ukiwe is one of the most honest leaders that I have ever had contact with in my life. He is a leader; it is difficult to find a leader who works without listening to gossips. He is very strict, he believes in truth. He doesn’t treat or give people intimidation stories or stories from those who have passed away that you cannot go and find out from them, which is what most Igbo leaders do in Igboland. They intimidate you with age; intimidate you with their capacity, financial capacity and by who and who they have gotten in contact with. They intimidate you mostly with your age and tag it lack of experience. All those qualities, you can never find in Ebitu Ukiwe. Second is Lateef Jakande. I was in Lagos when he was the governor; he went around with Toyota Camry of 81 model, known as Baba Kekere. He build so many estates for the less privileged. The kind of estates they are building now, if you are not a millionaire you cannot think of having houses there. He is a different kind of person, a man of the grassroots.

    If the national body of Ohanaeze supported PDP, why u go against thdid yois?

    I am not going against what the national leadership of Ohanaeze said. My national Leader, Chief Nwodo, is also one of the best leaders in the world. I respect him. Even when I made that decision, I watched his reaction on social media but I didn’t react. My opinion is that if you want to know the best thing as a leader is that you must study your environment. No leader can get it right without hearing from the complainants, eyeball to eyeball. Not just on the telephone or one person going to complain. He came to Lagos and attended the town hall meeting of Ohanaeze and made it clear that this is where Ndigbo are going. I said sir, with all due respect, this is what I see in Lagos and I would need his advice. I said it in public and when he asked why I made the statement, I said my leader, I am sorry. And he took it. But when I saw the way things are going in Nigeria, I cannot continue to be in opposition in Lagos State. It is not about my leader, Chief Dr. Nwodo. It is not about Solomon but we are talking about Ndigbo. This is the state that we have the most concentration of Ndigbo, over a million Ndigbo. This is the state that we have the most investment of Ndigbo. We can’t risk all these; we have to make efforts at securing the state. Even though there was a lot of misinformation that Ndigbo did not come out to vote; it is important to note that that is not just in Lagos State. That is so everywhere and it is because of what is happening in Nigerian politics.

  • Ohanaeze congratulates UNN for refuse drive fuel invention

    Apex pan Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has congratulated the management of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) under the leadership of Professor Benjamin Ozumba on the remarkable breakthrough in the successful invention and inauguration of a 100KVA Refuse Drived Fuel (RDF) gasification plant for its Nsukka Campus.

    In a release, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,  Chief Nnia Nwodo,  said the singular achievement by a team led by Prof. Emenike Ejiogu of the Department of Electrical Engineering has once again put the foremost institution on the international map of inventions.

    The feat, according to him, was reminiscent of the discovery, years back, of an effective cholera vaccine by another cerebral scholar, Professor Njoku Obi of the Faculty of Biological Sciences of the University, which helped in curbing the plague of the disease then.

    Read also: UNN sets record of electricity generation with organic waste

    Nwodo stated this new invention is clearly another attestation to the creative ingenuity of Ndigbo and is most remarkable at a period fossil energy is diminishing in its relevance in the world.

    He said it was the firm belief of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that the invention will not suffer the fate of similar breakthroughs in the past which were abandoned and allowed to gather dust or fossilize,but would be commercialized and made available for increased energy use in the country.

    Nwodo urged the university to increase their research into other areas that can help in making life easier for the people.

  • Ohanaeze Southwest mourns Debe Ojukwu

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Southwest has mourned the death of Chief Sylvester Debe Odumegwu Ojukwu, son of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu

    A statement by the spokesman, Prince Erondu Uche, reads: “Akpunwa Omekannaya”, as he was popularly called, was a patriotic Igbo who followed the footsteps of his father. The progress and interest of all Igbo was his top priority.

    “It is disheartening to note that some Igbo icons and legends, that should play vital roles in the development of Igbo nation, are leaving the centre stage at this critical time when they were most needed. His contributions to the welfare of Ohanaeze in the Southwest will be missed.

    “As his body will be buried in Anambra State this weekend, I urge our youths to emulate the good examples he exhibited during his lifetime. He was a peace maker who believed and fought for the unity of all Igbo home and abroad. Seventy per cent of his time was dedicated to the service of humanity.

    “Ohanaeze Southwest has concluded arrangements to immortalise his name. I advise other zones to do same. May God grant his family and all Igbo the fortitude to bear the loss.”

  • Ohanaeze congratulates Buhari

    Igbo apex sociocultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for emerging the winner of the last Saturday’s presidential election.

    The secretary general of the organization, Uche Okwukwu while addressing a press conference Thursday in Enugu said Buhari’s victory was well deserved.

    Okwukwu who was with a chieftain of Ohanaeze, Prince Richard Ozobu insisted that the said endorsement of the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was not the decision of Ndigbo as there was no general meeting in that regard.

    In his words: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo heartily rejoices and congratulates President Muhammadu Buhari on his well-deserved victory at the Presidential polls on February 23, 2019. His victory as exposed by the majority of votes cast has clearly shown that the President has been on the right course in the last four years.

    “Ndigbo are deeply happy that Mr. President secured more votes in Igboland than he got in 2015. We urge all Nigerians and the international community to accept the verdict as the election was adjudged, free, credible, transparent and peaceful and call on all not to heat up the polity through unguarded utterances and actions.”

    He reeled out the situation that led to the disagreement among the hierarchy of Ohanaeze saying that it started with the commissioning of Zik’s Mausoleum.

    He said most members frowned at the insistence of Nnia Nwodo in holding the Imeobi meeting on the day President Buhari was to honour Zik by commissioning the mausoleum at Onitsha.

    “They disrespected Zik and ignored all the governors from the old Eastern Region who were present at commissioning.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze insists on Atiku, restructuring

    “And the worst of it all was that they announced the endorsement on the same day without the general meeting of members.

    “The decision to endorse any candidate should have attracted wide consultations and not a thing to be done in a hurry,” said.

    The Ohanaeze, he said, would soon pay a courtesy visit to the president in which they will congratulate him formally and present their demands.

     

  • Igbos criticize Nwodo over comments on Buhari’s administration

    ….say Ohaneze Leader lack wisdom to lead Ndi’Igbo
    A socio-political organization, the Igbo in Nigeria Movement (INM) has lashed out at Chief John Nnia Nwodo (Jnr), the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo over recent comments on President Muhammadu Buhari.
    In a foul-mouthed attack, among others, Mr Nwodo alleged that the current administration has “become so ethnicised that it has reminded people of their homes”.
    These recent utterances didn’t come as a surprise owing to the Ohanaeze’s leadership failed alliance with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar at the last election.
    However, it appears as though that even Nwodo’s south-eastern brothers are utterly frustrated with his bigotry and sentimental outbursts.
    In a statement signed by the president,  Maxi Ifeanyi Igwe, the IMN frowned at his comments as it is not a true position of the Igbos who wholly supports the president.
    According to the group, Mr Nwodo lacks the requisite wisdom to lead Ndi’Igbo and should desist from making statements that could whip ethnic sentiments in Igbo land and by extension Nigeria.
    “ John Nwodo’s outburst is unbecoming of an elder statesman that is meant to serve as a uniting figure and not a divisive figure in the country and within the people of the South East region in Nigeria. His ethnic agitation is uncharitable and against the wishes of the people of the South East region,” the statement began.
    “ The Igbos in Nigeria Movement thinks that what the country needs at this material time is unity and not division as exemplified by John  Nwodo in his cancerous and unguarded statement.
    “While it is appropriate for John  Nwodo to support the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently held general elections, it is, however, inappropriate for him to continue to express his frustrations as that of the generality of the Igbos in Nigeria.
    “ It is, therefore, our considered opinion the ethnic card that is capable of putting the Igbo nation at war with other ethnicities in Nigeria. What Nigeria needs is healing and not war. This Nwodo should know better.
    “ While it is common knowledge that many groups including churches, development partners, religious and ethnic associations, have all come out to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari over his resounding victory at the polls, the likes of Nwodo instead is reminding President Muhammadu Buhari that the Igbos didn’t vote for him and as such does not deserve any political appointment.
    “ INM, views such statements as highly divisive and against the interest of the Igbo race and as such Nwodo must discontinue his attempt to cause disaffection and pandemonium in Igbo land by promoting his personal hateful as that of Ndi’Igbo .
    “ The INM also wishes to remind Nwodo that he is ultimately setting up the Igbos against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, an act that is unbecoming of an elder statesman. It is his game plan that no Igbo should be considered for any sensitive position hence the timing of his outburst.
    “ The INM hopes that Nwodo has not allowed himself to be used by some unscrupulous people to tarnish his image and that of the Igbo race by deliberately whipping up a hornets’ nest that would serve the Igbo race no good.
    “ The Nwodo that we used to know would not engage in acts that would put the Igbo race at grave danger, but we are afraid to state that the recent posturing of Nwodo is strange and inimical to the interest of the Igbo race. This he must retrace immediately.

    Read Also: Group knocks Ohanaeze Ndigbo for endorsing Atiku

    “ Consequently, we wish to state emphatically that the Igbo in Nigeria Movement and all Igbo sons and daughters disassociates from Nwodo’s statement and wishes to place it on record that his views do not represent the thinking of majority Igbo sons and daughters across Nigeria but that of a few in the journey of infamy with Nwodo.

    “ The INM wishes to place it on record that Igbo sons and daughters have decided to come together in total support for the success of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari towards taking Nigeria to greater heights.
    “ It is now a known fact that despite several attempts by Nwodo and his minions to smear the reputation of Buhari in the south-east and the rigging plots by the opposition party, our people still voted for President Buhari   overwhelmingly and will continue to stand by his administration including the security agencies where he has appointed very competent hands.
    “ The likes of Nwodo and his associates should quit polluting the atmosphere with their toxic messages and behave like elder statesmen that are desirous of the continued unity, peace and progress of Nigeria.
    “ And anything short of this would be resisted by the Igbos in Nigeria Movement (INM) as we will mobilize the people to reject them. We also warn that Nwodo only fears people like Nnamdi Kanu who has lost touch with our highly reverend custom and tradition in Igboland.”

     

     

  • Group knocks Ohanaeze Ndigbo for endorsing Atiku

    A pro-eastern Nigeria action group, Awake and Defend Action Movement (ADAM) has faulted the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

    ADAM is an umbrella body of pressure groups within the old Eastern Region with the purpose of protecting life and property of every indigene of old Eastern Nigeria.

    Recall that Nnia Nwodo’s led Ohanaeze and other four socio-cultural groups including Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Northern Elder’s Forum (NEF), Afenifere and Middle Belt Forum (MBF) in a meeting at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja adopted Atiku as their consensus candidate a fortnight ago.

    But ADAM in a communiqué signed by its acting chairman, Ndubuisi Igwekani-Agu Biafra and the Southsouth leader of the group Chief James Ekpo, which was issued to journalists at the end of a crucial meeting of the body in Aba, Abia State, stated that it was wrong for the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to endorse Atiku or any other person as a consensus presidential candidate.

    The group, while noting that the action of Nwodo may cause bad blood among the Igbo political class, maintained that Ohanaeze is not a political group and therefore must limit its influence to issues that concern Igbo cultural, social and traditional advancement in order to avoid division and acrimony among Igbo sons and daughters who are members of various political party interests.

    Sharing contrary opinion on the sit-at-home directives by the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ahead of the 2019 general elections, ADAM called on all Easterners including youths to actively participate in the election by voting for people that not only have the interest of the people at heart, but have the capacity to attract development and democratic dividends to the people.

    ADAM who stated that they were miffed with the level of underdevelopment in the Southeast, stated that their support for the call for the restructuring of the country with states and regions managing and controlling their natural mineral resources, said that the era of reckless spending of public resources is over.

    “ADAM will ensure that our people demand transparency and accountability from every elected public officer in Eastern Nigeria. We will mobilise the entire youth in Eastern to deal with any elected officer who fails in his/her duties to account to the people.

    “Henceforth, we are monitoring some Igbo political contractors who rush to their pay master in the North and other parts of Nigeria to collect evil money to destabilize our people. Henceforth, we will monitor and expose them to bring sanity and peace to our land.”

    The group which expressed its worries over the level of insecurity in the country called on its citizens that have retired from active service in the military and other security agencies to come together to hold a security summit in order to address the security challenges that the Old Eastern region is facing.

    “Now, concerning the youths in Eastern Nigeria, we have noticed the exponential increase in kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, Yahoo Yahoo, gambling, prostitution, child-trafficking, and all manner of violent extremism just to get rich overnight. We hereby warn that it will not be business as usual. We have set up a security watch to coordinate with security agents to expose all manner of evil activities perpetuated by youths in whatever disguise.”

    The group, which believes in oneness of Nigeria against the breakaway campaign of the Nnmadi Kanu-led IPOB, said, “Concerning the State of Biafra, ADAM believes that Biafra is a state of the mind where every citizen of Biafra in any other self-interest. We are Igbos of the Indigenous People of Biafra living in Nigeria. We are Igbos of the Indigenous People of Biafra and ready to remain in Nigeria if the country is properly restructured to accommodate all nationalities in a peaceful co-existence with other nationalities.”

  • Ohanaeze’s scribe, Okwukwu, suspended

    Apex Igbo Social Cultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has suspended its secretary general, Barrister Uche Okwukwu.

    A statement by National Publicity Secretary of the organization, Uche Okpaga accused Okwukwu of misrepresenting decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and Imeobi of Ohaneze in the last three days at various fora.

    The statement added that Okwukwu  has arrogated to himself,  the power to the organs of Ohanaeze by “ultering positions purportedly taken by these organs which are patently and obviously false”

    Read Also: Why we endorsed Atiku, by Ohanaeze

    Okpaga said these actions having taken place in the public domain and reportedly copiously in the mass media, the NEC “in an overwhelming majority decision after confronting Okwukwu has resoled that Okwukwu  is from this day , Thursday 31st January 2019, suspended from his office as Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and membership  of all organs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo”.

    The statement urged every member of Ohanaeze Branches and affiliate Bodies to take note and desists from dealing with Okwukwu as Secetary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.