The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ohaneze Ndigbo

  • Ohaneze Ndigbo condemns children’s torture in Rivers 

    Ohaneze Ndigbo condemns children’s torture in Rivers 

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent torture and dehumanisation of children at a church identified as Our Lord’s Victory at Nyekwe Close in Rumuosita community, Eneka, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

    Describing the incident as horrific, Ohaneze in a statement signed by its Rivers State President, Livingstone Wechie, said the devilish act did not reflect any virtue of the Bible, but demonstrated a gross violation of the fundamental rights of defenseless children and the incursion on their human dignity.

    Wechie said, “It is our view that no legitimate faith; Christianity, Igbo tradition, or any other religion, sanctions the abuse, dehumanization, or torture of children. 

    “While society grapples with the menace of child trafficking and baby factory issues, this type of unholy and criminal invention must not be allowed to survive to further distort our values.”

    Read Also: Mutfwang launches Nigeria Learning Passport to boost digital learning in Plateau

    Wechie commended the Rivers Police Command for their swift action following the viral video of the incident and called on the Rivers State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and all relevant child protection agencies to immediately ensure justice for the children

    He said, “They should also trace all related groups to ensure that this impunity does not stand. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Rivers state chapter is willing to partner and render all the needed support to all the relevant authorities to ensure that there is no encumbrance to justice delivery against all vices

    “We urge faith-based organisations and people of goodwill to intensify oversight and get involved in the social strata to prevent such abuses in the future. 

    “This is with regard to persons and groups who falsely put on the toga of religious titles to paint the faith in a bad light. We must be conscious of the values we pass on to our children and the image our actions presents to the world. 

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Rivers State Chapter, stands firmly against any form of child abuse, whether cultural, religious, or otherwise. We demand that the victims receive immediate medical attention, psychological support, and protection from further harm.”

    The police had following a viral video of the flogging and torture of the children arrested the pastor of the church, Ifediorah Joseph and other church members.

  • Ohaneze to S’east govs-elect: do not renege on campaign promises

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing has congratulated governors-elect in the South Eastern states for their reelection victory in the just concluded elections.

    The group in a statement on Thursday made available to journalists in Awka, urged the governors-elect to ensure they fulfil their campaign promises particularly in accommodating the youths.

    The statement, signed by the group’s President, Dr. Arthur Uchenna-Obiorah, also called on those that lost to accept the outcome in good faith and avoid unnecessary litigations.

    He said, “We congratulate the governors of Enugu State Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Abia, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Delta, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa and Ebonyi David Umahi on their reelections.”

    “The governors-elect should give more political appointments to the youths because they are the bedrock of meaningful development in any promising society.

    “Those who lost at the polls should not go into unnecessary litigations, but see the outcome of the elections as true reflection of the people’s political decision.”

    Uchenna-Obiorah however described as worrisome the declaration of the governorship election in six states by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as inconclusive.

    He particularly expressed concern over the situation in Rivers State, calling for proper investigation of the roles of some security agents in the election.

    He also urged the INEC and security agencies to follow due process in concluding all inconclusive elections.

  • Nwodo expressed personal views in adopting Atiku – Ohanaeze

    …. apologizes to Buhari

     

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Friday apologized to President Muhammadu Buhari for the announced endorsement of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar for the 2019 elections.

    The President General of Ohaneze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, whose tenure was said to have expired, had announced Atiku’s endorsement a fortnight ago.

    But leading the Ohaneze group to the Presidential Villa, the Secretary General, Barrister Uche Okuku, while apologizing to the President, said that Nwodo only expressed his personal views and not that of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze and the 2109 presidential election

    He said that a nine-man panel has already been set up over Nwodo’s pronouncement.

    “Our visit is to declare our stand,” he stated

    Other three groups that expressed support for the President during the visit include World Igbo Congress, World Igbo Union and Ndigbo Delegate covering the 19 Northern States.

  • ‘Our rejection of Atiku’s endorsement by Ohaneze is apolitical’

    The Anambra Government says its rejection of the Ohaneze Ndigbo’s endorsement of Alhaji Abubakar Atiku has nothing to do with politics or Mr Peter Obi.

    The Anambra Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C-Don Adinuba made the clarification at a press briefing in Awka on Monday.

    He said that the clarification was necessitated by the story making round the media and instigated by the group that the state rejected the endorsement of Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, because of his running mate, Obi.

    He said that the state had not in any way made reference to Obi directly or indirectly in any of its interviews on the issue.

    “The government and people of the state are disheartened by decisions of Ohaneze to desecrate the memory of Zik which coincided with the date the endorsement was made,” the commissioner said.

    He said that efforts were made to reach the Leadership of Ohaneze to shift their time to 7pm as it was not fair to hold the meeting by 10am when they knew the President was visiting the state.

    The commissioner said that the appeal of change of time was to give Anambra delegation, the opportunity to partake in the meeting but they hurriedly held the meeting scheming out Ebonyi and Anambra.

    Adinuba said that the Obiano government was not bothered about who the Igbo Apex Social Cultural group pitched tent with, rather the timing of their meeting coincided with President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the state.

    Adinuba said that the Ohaneze leadership led by Chief Nnia Nwodo should have taken into consideration that Zik of Africa was being honoured on the same day of their meeting.

    “Wisdom should have been applied by the leaders to give honour to whom, it is due,” he said.

    He said that Ohanaez Ndigbo was supposed to be part of the delegation receiving the President on such a remarkable day.

    He pointed out that for 23 years, many administrations had come and gone without giving due consideration to completing the mausoleum and on the day of its commissioning, ohanaeze desecrated the memory of a worthy son of Igboland.

    “The act is considered a sacrilege or a sabotage, Zik is the only patron of the group and he was insulted by his own, so sad,” he said.

    Adinuba described the action of the Chief Nnia Nwodo led Ohanaeze Ndigbo group as a `political fraud’ saying that Ohanaeze should not be political and should stop endorsing political candidates.

    He said that Ohaneze had in the past endorsed Jonathan, Shagari and they never won the elections, so they should stop.

    In a swift reaction, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene , President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra said that the reactions of the state government was not reasonable.

    Read also: IPOB issues sit-at-home order as Buhari visits Abia

    He said in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that at first instance, the group was not in the know about the President’s visit and its timetable.

    Okeke-Ogene said that the group had observed all its due process in holding meetings from Abuja, Enugu and concluded its program.

    He said that the meeting was statutory and would not have been cancelled for anything and said that they honoured the request of time change from 10 am to 4pm.

    He said that the group had been endorsing candidates before now like other geopolitical zones.

    “We endorsed Obiano and urged that the North should complete their tenure before going to South,” he said.

    Okeke-Ogene said that Obiano was enjoying the endorsement of Ohaneze ndi Igbo and wondered what changed.

    Also, Chief Chris Eluemunoh, the immediate past President of Ohanaeze said that the group was desecrated by the state government for not involving such important group in a special visit like that .

    He said that at their level, nobody from the group would attend any function not invited and said that political leaders should learn how to respect their foundation. (NAN)

  • Atiku’s endorsement not Ohanaeze’s decision – Sec Gen

    Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Bar Uche Okwukwu, on Monday, described as huge lie and activities of fifth columnists the endorsement of Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar by the Ohaneze Ndigbo as its candidate.

    He said those claiming that the apex Igbo group endorsed the PDP candidate was on their own.

    Briefing newsmen in Awka, Okwukwu denied any meeting of Ime-Obi Ohanaeze where the body endorsed a candidate for Ndigbo.

    He said members were not informed ahead of the meeting, neither was a communique committee responsible for drafting the resolution arising from the meeting set up.

    He said, “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo never held a meeting of the Ime-Obi where we endorsed any candidate for the 2019 presidential election.

    “Secondly, if we organize the Ime-Obi meeting, we inform members beforehand and in the meeting, we also set up a communique committee that drafts the resolution or communique arising from the meeting which will be presented before the general house for ratification.

    “No such thing was done and anybody purporting to have had any Imo-Obi meeting where Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was endorsed as our presidential candidate is on his own.”

    Read Also: Ohanaeze goofs by endorsing Atiku, says Kalu

    Okwukwu, however, revealed that the apex Igbo association as a body would soon hold the Imo-Obi meeting where it would discuss the presidential candidate to endorse.

    “If we choose to endorse anybody we shall do so when we organize the Ime-Obi meeting and that will be in no distant time.

    He added, “There are Igbo sons and daughters from Igbo land who are contesting the office of the president of the country and that doesn’t mean that we are looking at only Igbo candidates.

    “When we meet at the Ime-Obi meeting we shall choose a candidate and you know that we have Igbo sons and daughters from Igbo land who are contesting the election and we are not limiting it to Igbo candidates.

    “But in the interest of Ndigbo we should support President Muhammadu Buhari for the second term and that is the only way to get to our promise Land.”

     

  • Atiku/Obi endorsement: Ohaneze misfired – Group

    A group, Igbo Reawakening Forum (IRF) has distanced itself from the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, by the Ohaneze Ndigbo.

    The body said the decision by the Igbo apex organisation on the choice of Atiku was not only unwise and ill-advice, but miscalculated.

    Addressing newsmen at the weekend during its National Executive meeting in Awka, the Chairman, National Working Committee of the group, Uche Ufearoh, wondered what could have led to the decision, saying it would backfire at the end of the day.

    He regretted that it was only the Igbo extraction that always played such kind of politics among the three major ethnic groups in the country.

    He said, “Ohaneze Ndigbo didn’t start playing bad politics today. They started it ages. We won’t follow them on this.

    “If they were to be smart enough, they would have known that supporting PDP will be an exercise in futility.

    “South West as a region has got so many juicy positions. They have the VP, super ministries, FIRS, Communications and several others. They just relinquished that of Finance.

    “It is only the Igbo that can have all these positions in their pockets and will still be gallivanting all over. The Yoruba people don’t play that kind of politics.

    “I dont know who and who the Ohaneze is alighing with to make Atiku the president? For us as a body, we have chosen to face the reality of the time.”

    According to Ufearoh, the people of the region have been advised by several elderstatesmen to vote for Buhari for easier and quicker shot at the presidency in 2023.

    He explained that the decision to support Buhari in the February poll was informed by his identification with the Igbo evidenced in the numerous projects dotted across the region.

    “Look at all he has been doing for us in the past three years, the Enugu-Onitsha-PH expressway, the second Niger bridge, Zik’s Meouselum, name them.

    “Igbos are better off voting for Buhari. His first time in politics, he picked an Igbo man, Chuba Okadigbo as running mate, second time, Ume Ezeoke.

    “So when people say Buhari doesn’t like the Igbo, I don’t know where they are coming from?” Ufearoh querried.

  • 2019: Ohaneze’s endorsement of Atiku partisan – Ngige

    The Minster of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has described the endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, by the  Ohaneze Ndigbo as partisan.
    Ngige said what played out was mere congregation of party men, that hurriedly took a decision without due consultation of the real Ime-Obi Ohaneze Ndigbo.
    The Labour and Employment minister made his feeling known in a telephone chat with journalists on Sunday in Awka.
    The minister said the meeting was constituted by the President-General of the union with members of the PDP and passed the resolution in favour of Abubakar.
    “The purported decision of Ohaneze endorsing Atiku Abubakar of the PDP as the Ndigbo choice was a distraction and should be disregarded by well meaning Igbo sons and daughters.
     “The decision was ill-conceived and should be ignored by Ndigbo as it’s a decision propelled by PDP members in Ohaneze Ndigbo, hurriedly taken to drum support for their party members in the coming election,” he said.
    Ngige expressed disappointment that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation would degenerate into meddling in partisan politics.
    He said that the people of the South East have spoken in the rallies attended by hundreds of thousands of  Igbo citizens in Enugu and Onitsha as to their political choice.(NAN)

  • Ohaneze’s endorsement of Atiku courageous – PDP

    The Peoples’ Democratic Party ( PDP ) has lauded the decision of Ohaneze Ndigbo to endorse the Atiku-Obi presidential ticket.

    Mr Oseloka Obaze, Chairman of the Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Council, Anambra chapter made the commendation in Awka on Friday.

    Ohaneze, the Igbo Socio-Cultural organisation announced its endorsement of the PDP presidential flag bearers after a meeting held in Enugu on Thursday.

    Obaze described the position as `most profound, constructive and courageous decision’.

    “The endorsement is historical and seminal gesture will serve Nigeria well,” he said.

    Read Also: Atiku’s endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Ohaneze had in a communiqué said its decision to adopt Atiku/Obi followed a critical and dispassionate appraisal of the issues.

    It said the body analysed the election manifestos of the various contesting parties, especially with regards to the restructuring of the federation and continued relevance of Ndigbo in the Nigerian geopolitical space.

    “That the presidential candidate of PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has made an avowed commitment to restructuring of the federation and reconfirmed same during his recent visit to the United States in his meetings with high-level US officials,” it said.

  • IPOB insists on boycott of 2019 polls

    The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday reaffirmed its resolve to boycott next month’s election.

    A statement issued by the group’s media and publicity secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful said the IPOB “ably led by our supreme leader and prophet of our time Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will stand on the decision of election boycott in Biafraland on the 16th of February 2019”.

    The statement insists: “The boycott of presidential election next month will showcase our readiness, determination and seriousness in the pursuit for Biafra freedom and sovereignty.

    “It is important we notify our people mostly politicians, clergymen and women including pastors who strongly believe in rebuilding one Nigeria to retrace their steps because Nigeria Government and it’s leadership has been hijacked by Fulani people.

    “Fulanis are parasites and stranger in Nigeria today but unfortunate that they control over 200 million Indigenous Population because of British support to them.

    “Our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu during his weekly radio Biafra broadcast from the holy land of Israel on Saturday evening reaffirmed strongly to the people and gullible Nigerians who still doubt our stand towards boycotting the forthcoming presidential election next month.

    “It is crystal clear that one of our major lethal weapons to achieve this present Biafra demand is civil disobedience, therefore we urge Biafrans, both home and abroad to advise and caution their families not to vote and totally boycott this coming election no matter the level of promises and inducement politicians of this days might have given them.

    “In few days to come IPOB high command will release a blueprint and how this election boycott will be achieved and it’s benefit to Biafrans, IPOB will evoke high level of civil disobedience next month to make it effective so as Biafrans will realize how much determined we are.

    “Federal Government of Nigeria, South East governors mostly Okezie Ikpeazu, David Umahi and Willie Obiano including Ohaneze Ndigbo led by Nnia Nwodo conspired and brought in operation python dance to frighten our people to trigger panic, apprehension and fear in the minds of Biafrans who believe in Biafra restoration project. IPOB will inevitably bring those governors and few Abuja/Lagos based politicians who believe in serving Hausa Fulani caliphate to account in no distant time.

    Read Also: Ohanaeze, others flay IPOB attacks on Ikpeazu, Umahi

    “It is in the light of this recent distortion, twist and adulterated truth and propaganda against IPOB decision by unscrupulous individuals, groups and politicians in our land that prompted our supreme leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come on air last week Saturday to state unequivocally without mincing words the position of IPOB in Abia and Ebonyi states gubernatorial elections come next month. Okezie Ikpeazu and David Umahi who unbeknown to most people has donated a portion of our sacred land of Biafra to Miyetti Allah cannot support Operation Python Dance and expect the people not to revolt accordingly. IPOB is at the front of this coming revolution next month.

    “The potency of our agitation for Biafra will be made clear for all to see. We remain unwavering and determined as ever to bring this divine and ordained mission to its successful conclusion.

    “Our freedom is paramount therefore ongoing politically motivated abductions, high levels of humiliation, intimidation, abduction, arrest, massacre and sponsored propaganda against a peaceful group like IPOB will not shake our resolve, instead it will make us stronger.“

  • Atiku endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Chieftains of Ohaneze Ndigbo are split over the purported endorsement of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alhaji Abubakar Atiku by the organisation.

    It would be recalled that an arm of the organisation known as ‘Ime Obi’ arising from its meeting on Thursday, declared support for Atiku on the grounds that he was running with an Igbo man, Mr Peter Obi.

    This endorsement is in clear contrast of earlier stance of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation of not endorsing any of the presidential candidates.

    However, a former Secretary General of the organisation, Chief Obiora Ozobu, described the move as a hoax and personal invention of the President General of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo.

    Ozobu, who disclosed this in Enugu on Thursday during a media briefing appealed to the people of the area to ignore the endorsement.

    He described it as a mischievous act aimed at causing division among Ndigbo.

    He said that Nwodo lacked the capacity to summon a meeting of ‘Ime Obi’ because his tenure as president general had lapsed.

    He also wondered why such meeting was held on a day President Muhammadu Buhari was in Anambra and Enugu States for his presidential campaign when the Zik mausoleum was inaugurated.

    He said that the leaders of the organisation were expected to participate actively in the inauguration ceremony of the project which was started 23 years ago but completed by Buhari.

    Ozobu said that the meeting could be best described as a meeting of friends of Atiku and did not represent the wishes of the people of the area.

    “The meeting is an attempt to perpetuate Nwodo in office. Granted that there were attempts to extend the tenure of Ohaneze executives to four but such has not materialised,” he said.

    Also speaking, the Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige described the move as unfortunate, adding that the endorsement of presidential candidates had never done anything good for Ndigbo.

    Ngige said that Ohaneze as a socio-cultural organisation had no business endorsing a particular candidate.

    The minister said that it was obvious that Nwodo had divided the organisation along party lines, adding that “we will fight this out.”

    Former Enugu State governor, Mr Sullivan Chime noted that the said endorsement was done by those that had left office.

    “It was not a meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo but a meeting between Nwodo and his friends. Ohaneze has no business doing what that group did,” Chime said.

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Geoffrey Onyeama, similarly said that it was inappropriate for such a meeting to hold at a time Buhari was in the South East for his campaign.

    Read Also:Breaking: I’ve not resigned, says Onnoghen

     

    Onyeama described the purported meeting as a calculated attempt to exclude a significant number of the people from such gathering, assuming it was a meeting of Ohaneze.

    “A significant number of the membership was not present at the meeting assuming it was a meeting of Ohaneze. So it is inappropriate to have a meeting of such magnitude,” Onyeama said.

    Former Senate President, Chief Ken Nnamani, said that such position made no meaning to the people of the area.

    “Our sons and daughters belong to many political parties and our people have never voted as a block but according to their conscience,” he said.

    Nnamani said that such position was not in the best interest of the people and would not stand.

    In a reaction, the Personal Assistant to the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Mr Emeka Attamah, said that everyone was entitled to their opinions.

    Attamah said that Ohaneze Ndigbo had endorsed who they wanted, adding that the people kicking against it were members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    He said that it was misleading to say that the tenure of the executive members of the organisation was two years, adding that the constitution had been amended to reflect the current four-year tenure.

    “The tenure is four years and they should go to court to contest,” Attamah said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other chieftains of the organisation at the briefing are the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and Chief Osita Okechukwu among others.