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Tag: Ohaneze

  • We can defend our own, Ohaneze warns Wabba

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, to desist from further attacking the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, over the replacement of Chief Frank Kokori as Board Chairman of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).

    A statement by the Abuja chapter President, Odozi Nwodozi, said Ohanaeze has the capacity to defend its own. It accused Wabba of mobilising urchins to disrupt the inauguration of the NSITF board because Kokori was replaced as chairman.

    He alleged that Wabba was against the raising of an administrative panel of inquiry into the activities of the fund, saying Labour may have something to hide about NSITF.

    The statement reads: “Senator Ngige has piloted the affairs of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. He has masterfully been guiding all decisions and actions taken to reposition the country’s workforce.

    “Without his astute administrative skills in handling labour issues, the restive workforce would have pushed Nigeria down the road of Venezuela. Who could have managed the cascading labour strikes of 2016-2018 as Ngige has done?

    Read also: Why Ngige was absent at May Day rally, by Aide

    “His capacity for equable negotiations weathered the storm of intricacies surrounding the new national minimum wage and brought all social partners to agreement. This is in the public domain.

    “We warn that we shall not fold our hands if this underserved harassment continues. We watched with heads bowed, the macabre dance of shame, as Ayuba mobilised urchins to take over the office of the minister, disrupted and forced the postponement of the planned inauguration of the Board of the NSITF on April 18.

    “We also watched as the same Ayuba converted the Workers’ Day rally for barbaric attacks on Ngige. We deplore the crude manners of the NLC president to diminish the office of the minister even in the presence of the Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation and members of the International Community.

    “We, therefore, warn that Ndigbo has the capacity to protect our own at all times. Though we disagree with Ngige on his choice of party and presidential candidate, that does not deny the fact that he is still one of our brightest, most patriotic Igbo man who believes in one indivisible Nigeria and our mouthpiece in the current dispensation. He should be accorded all respects due his person and office.”

     

  • Ohanaeze cannot influence Igbo voters -Moghalu

    Chief Kingsley Moghalu, presidential candidate of the Young People’s Party (YPP), says the endorsement of a particular candidate by Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is in vain.

    Moghalu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, on Wednesday in Awka.

    He said youths in South East are now wise to know who to vote for and not for Ohanaeze to compel them on what to do.

    “We in the South East now know that our elders in Ohanaeze have been economical with the truth, they tell us what they want us to believe for reasons best known to them.

    “This time around the youth in the region have decided to vote for candidates that appeal to them in terms of development plans for the country,” he said.

    Moghalu said he has done much for Nigerians to deserve their votes in Feb. 23, poll.

    Read Also: Moghalu storms Lagos for presidential campaign

    “I did so much for the country while serving as the deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    “I introduced POS services; the ATM card was also my initiative as well as Bank Verification Number (BVN) for identification of accounts.

    “I did all these to make the economy vibrant, it is also my contribution towards making ease of doing business possible.

    “If given the chance, I will do more for the country to enable it join the league of developed countries where youths will be proud to stay and earn their living,” he said.

  • Atiku ‘moved to tears’ by endorsement of Afenifere, Ohanaeze, NEF, others

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar has relished the endorsement by five socio cultural associations, saying the move has placed a greater challenge on his assignment.

    The Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-

    Niger Delta Forum and the Middle Belt Forum after a meeting in Abuja on Sunday, thrown their full weight behind Atiku’s presidential aspiration.

    In a statement Sunday, which he personally signed, Atiku expressed hope for the country as Nigerians go to the polls to elect a new President in a few days.

    The statement reads: “I am moved to tears that in the midst of deep divisions and deliberate use of instrumentalities of state to set our people against themselves in the last three and a half years, responsible and respected leaders across Nigeria have agreed to come together for the purpose of endorsing my candidature for the February 16th, 2019 presidential elections.

    READ ALSO: Afenifere, NEF, Ohaneze, PANDEF, others endorse Atiku

    “The endorsement by the leading lights of our nationalities – Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Northern Elders Forum, Pan-Niger Delta Forum and Middle Belt Forum is a loud statement that there is hope for our country as we go to the polls in a few days.

    “Today we put aside all our prejudices to elect a President with religion and ethnicity playing no role in our elections. I profusely thank our Leaders across the country who have created this wonderful moment for us to come to the table of brotherhood.

    “Once again, and in the words of our old National Anthem, we can proudly sing: ‘Though tribes and tongues may differ, in brotherhood we stand’.

    The opposition presidential candidate said the endorsement has buoyed him to lead a Pan-Nigerian team that will give practical interpretation to what has been done by the time he takes the baton of leadership of the country, “by the grace of Allah, on May 29, 2019”.

    Continuing, Atiku said: “Many countries of the world have been led into disintegration by strongmen (one in each country) and we have seen how individuals who understand the management of diversities have rallied their people for unity.

    “I have been chosen to unite our people and exactly that I will. I will run a properly federated Nigeria through constitutional reforms to bring out the best from all sections of Nigeria to make Nigeria work again like in the past when the Saudi Royal family came to Nigeria to access Medicare.

    “We will promote an inclusive Nigeria based on productivity that every section of Nigeria will bring out the best under their soil, and in their brains to make Nigeria assume its position in Africa and the global community.

    “It would be 100% for every section of Nigeria as I would not understand any arithmetic outside that. I enjoin our people across Nigeria to come out en-mass to vote on February 16 to pull our country from the brink and propel it to greater heights so we can live a better life. Take my words as a covenant with  Nigeria”.

     

     

     

  • Ohaneze’s adoption of Atiku baseless – Okorocha

    Imo State governor,  Rochas Okorocha, has described the endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation,  Ohaneze Ndigbo, as null and void and of no effect.

    The Imo governor in a statement insisted that “Ohaneze is a socio-cultural organisation and not a registered political party and there is no voting unit or polling booth called Ohaneze. So, its adoption of Atiku PDP is a folklore and should not give anybody concern”.

    Okorocha also pointed out that the action of the Igbo group, has no electoral value. “The adoption is neither here nor there, since it has no electoral value. This is also not the first time Ohaneze has adopted a PDP presidential candidate.

    It did that in 2015, yet, PDP failed with its Presidential candidate, while APC won with its Presidential candidate. And one would have expected Ohaneze to exercise caution this time following what happened in 2015.

    “Indeed, the organisation should have done things differently especially when it remembers that all Igbo whether in PDP, APC, APGA, ADC or SDP are presumed to be members of Ohaneze.

    He noted further that, “not minding the adoption, President Muhammadu Buhari will win in the South-East and the general election proper. So, Igbo in APC should remain focused and not to make the adoption an issue, when it is not an issue in all ramifications”.

  • Anambra Govt. not part of communiqué endorsing Atiku – SSG

    The Anambra Government has disassociated itself from a purported communiqué by Ohaneze Ndigbo endorsing the candidacy of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar for the Feb. 16 presidential election.

    Abubakar is the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s presidential candidate in the February 16 election.

    Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, the Secretary to Anambra Government (SSG), made the disclosure in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu.

    Chukwulobelu declared that the contents of the communiqué did not reflect the Anambra Government’s position.

    It will be recalled that an arm of the Ohaneze Ndigbo ‘Ime Obi’ arising from a meeting on Thursday in Enugu declared support for Abubakar.

    Ime Obi is like a rapid response arm of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, comprising delegations from the seven states that make up the organisation including state governors.

    However, Chukwulobelu expressed dismay that the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation had decided to be partisan, in spite of the fact that members of the organisation belong to different political parties.

    Chukwulobelu said: “We have read bits of the communiqué purportedly issued by the Ohaneze leadership. We regret that they do not reflect the position of the people and Government of Anambra State.

    “The position of the Anambra State Government is that Ohaneze should remain a united umbrella for all Ndigbo, and should not take sides with any party.

    “There are major leaders in all political parties, including the three major ones in Nigeria, namely, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress ( APC) and PDP.

    “It is deeply regrettable that the Ohaneze leadership has chosen to go down a divisive trajectory capable of setting back Igbo unity for several years,” he said.

    The SSG said that Gov. Willie Obiano had sent a delegation to attend the Ime Obi meeting summoned by the organisation in Enugu.

    “Our delegation arrived early enough to participate in the meeting of Ime Obi scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

    “We were surprised to learn that the meeting had been held earlier and lasted for a mere 30 minutes.

    “The representative of the Ebonyi State Government, Dr Eric Kelechi Igwe, who arrived at the venue before the time the meeting was scheduled to start was also surprised that it had already taken place.

    “The same goes for others like the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige,” he said.

    Read Also: Atiku’s endorsement splits Ohaneze Ndigbo

    Chukwulobelu said that they were shocked that the meeting was even slated for a day President Muhammadu Buhari was campaigning in Anambra and Enugu States.

    He said that Buhari’s visit to Anambra was to honour Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, First Republic President of Nigeria, and the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo was expected to participate actively.

    “We were, indeed, surprised that the Ime Obi meeting could hold today (on Thursday) of all days.

    ‘‘We had expected Ohaneze leaders to participate actively in the inauguration of the Zik Mausoleum, Onitsha, Anambra State,” he said.

    Chukwulobelu said that the Mausoleum which had been under construction for the past 23 years was completed by the Buhari’s Administration which was a big honour to Azikiwe, an Igbo man.

  • Ohaneze: Nigeria may not survive without restructuring

    Pan-Igbo group Ohaneze has again warned that Nigeria may not endure as an entity if political restructuring of the country is not carried out.

    The Coordinator of Ohaneze Youth Wing in the South South, Chief Arthur Ugwa, gave the warning yesterday when the group visited the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Yenagoa.

    He argued that restructuring the nation would foster even development and ensure peaceful co-existence in all parts of the country.

    “Restructuring is the only thing that will save this nation from going into extinction. Different regions must be able to manage their resources for accelerated development.

    “Our leaders have been crying for restructuring over the years.  It’s incumbent on the leadership of this country to consider this option for a united Nigeria.”

    Ugwa noted that the visit to Ijaw youth leaders was imperative for the South South and South East geo-political zones to continue to build stronger relationships and ensure safety of each other.

    The Ohaneze youth leader warned that Nigeria could no longer tolerate divisive tendencies and that restructuring was the way out for peace and togetherness.

    The President of the Central Zone of the IYC, Mr Tare Porri, said that with current challenges in the country, the way out was for the country to embrace restructuring.

    He disclosed that the group would carry out a referendum on restructuring, ahead of the upcoming general elections and that only people who supported restructuring would be voted into office.

     

  • IPOB to Ohaneze: Kanu’s disappearance more important than restructuring

    Resolving the disappearance of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu is more important than restructuring, which the apex Igbo socio-political group Ohaneze Ndigbo stressed at its last summit, The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has stated.

    Condemning Ohaneze for not being bothered about the disappearance of one its illustrious sons since last year, IPOB said restructuring is a Nigerian agenda, which shouldn’t concern a pro-Igbo organisation.

    In a statement yesterday by Ikechukwu Nnaji, IPOB accused Ohaneze of joining the federal government in labeling young Igbo men as terrorists.

    IPOB said: “It is shameful the so- called leaders of Ohaneze will gather people in Awka, Anambra to talk about restructuring of Nigeria, which has no bearing with the peoples clamour for Biafra instead of talking about the disappearance and whereabouts of one of their illustrious sons, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

    IPOB reminded Ohaneze that it could not have had the platform to talk about restructuring if not for the bold steps Kanu took to demand for Biafra.

    It noted it was unfortunate that instead of aligning with Kanu to actualise Biafra, the leadership of Ohaneze in collaboration with South east governors betrayed him by aiding the Hausa/Fulani to declare IPOB a terrorist organisation.

    “That the Nigerian government ever spoke of restructuring that has emboldened Ohaneze was as a result of Nnamdi Kanu’s actions.

    “But the so-called Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo feeling it will be wrong for Kanu to take the credit of the emancipation of the Igbo race betrayed him.”

    Condemning the Ohaneze President, particularly IPOB said: “Nnia Nwodo came out to say that Nnamdi Kanu’s approach to the issues of Biafra was too rash and childish and would achieve no results.

    “But now, he has been going about making speeches to people that call themselves Fulani who hardly understand his grammar and at the end he ends up not communicating.”

    The group said it was only Kanu who understood the current structure would never guarantee Igbos their due entitlements in the Nigerian polity and without the entire race giving him support, geopolitical zone would continue to be subservient to others.

     

  • IPOB threat to Ohaneze: JTF begins show of force in Anambra

    The Joint Task Force (JTF) has begun a show of force in Anambra State following threats to disrupt the Igbo summit organised by apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    However, Biafra Reformation Movement (BRM) has threatened to disown IPOB if it fails to withdraw its plan to attack Ohaneze at the summit holding tomorrrow at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

    State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Mr. Haruna Mohammed, told our correspondent the command was ready for anybody or group in any form.

    The Superintendent of Police said the show of force by the JTF had already been in place with more men deployed in all the strategic places in the state.

    Our correspondent yesterday counted over 13 security pick up vans loaded with security operatives from the Police, Army, Navy and paramilitary outfits such as Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Civil Defence among others parading the nooks and cranny of Awka.

    Leader of BRM, Ndubuisi Igwekani, told our correspondent that the Biafra family would disown IPOB if it fails to soft pedal on its stance against the Ohaneze summit.

    He said IPOB should know there was a trap against the Igbo struggle, adding no right thinking Igbo person should plan to disrupt the summit.

    However, he said the focal point of Viagra movements should be how to actualise the May 30 celebrations of all the Biafran heroes, not disruption of the summit.

    “We warn IPOB to withdraw its threat against Ohaneze because it will not be in the interest of our struggle,” he stressed.

    He maintained it would be stupid of any Igbo group to give the Federal Government an opportunity to attack Ndigbo again, adding he decided to keep quiet for a long time because Raph Uwazuruike messed up Biafran movement.

    Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign of Biafra (MASSOB) Uchenna Madu, told our correspondent that attacking Ohaneze was not the right thing to do by any one or group.

    Meanwhile the threat had heightened tension in Anambra State with residents expressing apprehension ahead of the summit.

    But despite warnings from security and Biafran bodies, IPOB’s media and publicity secretary, Emma Powerful insisted the group would not be cowed or intimidated.

     

  • Ohaneze: South, Middle Belt won’t vote party without restructuring plan

    Indigenes and residents of Southern and Middle Belt regions will not vote for any political party without concrete plans for restructuring in the 2019 general elections, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo declared yesterday.

    Its President General Chief John Nwodo made the declaration during the maiden edition of “Nkata Umu Ibe”, a monthly distinguished Speaker series organised by Centre for Memories, a pro-Igbo organisation.

    Nwodo also announced emphatically the South East would not fight any war again but partner with other ethnic groups with similar ideologies to continuously engage authorities through diplomatic warfare in ensuring Nigeria is restructured.

    He commended the guest speaker, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, who spoke on “Igbo Ekunie: Lessons from post-war recovery in South East Nigeria” stating he gave concise, comprehensive and incisive details into Igbo history, her circumstances arising from the war and post war constitutional repression of her spirit of industry.

    “Since we began the Southern and Middle belt Forum, the ruling party has just remembered it promised restructuring. It has activated a committee headed by the Governor of Kaduna State (Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai) and it has finally come to admit that we can have regional police, that we can have sovereignty over our natural resources including oil.

    “However it expressed reservations for offshore oil to be controlled by the federal government. They have never conceded these before.

    “We are now pushing to say anyone who wants to govern Nigeria in 2019, your manifesto should include restructuring.

    “We will vote for no one who does not want restructuring. On May 21, we are going to have a South East summit on restructuring in which we give the South East Nigeria for restructuring.”

    On the necessity for diplomatic warfare, Nwodo explained: “Any war to be pursued solely as Igbos will not be as efficiently prosecuted as one in which we pursued with people who now agreed in our point of view that the agreement our forefathers had for a federation in 1963 was overthrown by the war and our federation became a unitary system in which the federal government became the Almighty.”

    Odinkalu regretted that Ndigbo lost a lot during the war materially and psychologically, accusing the federal government of failing to fund and implement the three Rs (Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration) as being witnessed with the North East Development Commission established following the devastations by Boko Haram insurgents.

     

  • Police confirm explosion at residence of Ohaneze President-General

    The Police Command in Enugu State has confirmed minor explosion at the Ukehe country home of Chief Nnia Nwodo, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo at early hours of Sunday.

     

    A statement issued in Enugu on Sunday by the police spokesperson, DSP Ebere Amaraizu, said the Commissioner of Police in the state had already visited Ukehe in Igboetiti Local Government area of Enugu State.

     

    Amaraizu said that the command had vowed to unmask those behind the dastardly act.

     

    “Commissioner of Police, Mr Danmallam Mohammed has vowed to unmask those behind the minor explosion at the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo residence.

     

    “The Commissioner led some of his key officers to the scene of the minor explosion that happened early hours of Sunday,’’ he said.

     

    The spokesperson said that no life was lost and there was no major destruction.

     

    “We thank God that there is no loss of life or major destruction, The explosion caused damage on two windows of one of the buildings, ceiling and air conditioner in the house.

     

    “The operatives of the Explosive Ordinance Department (E.OD) of the state command has already moved into the scene and collected some of the samples from the debris of the explosion for proper analysis,’’ he said.

     

    The PPRO said the police commissioner during the visit urged residents of the area to go about their normal business as the police had put adequate measures to protect lives and property.

     

    He said that security had been beefed up in the town to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

     

    The commissioner also directed the Area Commander of Udenu to beef up security and surveillance within the axis.

     

    Meanwhile, the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu has condemned the bombing of Nwodo’s country home in Ukehe describing it as a `dastardly act’.

     

    In a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Uche Anichukwu in Enugu, Ekweremadu said it was `certainly ugly, evil and outrageous’.

     

    “This is quite an unusual development in the South East and we will not accept it.

     

    “I call on the security agencies to get to the root of this devilish act and ensure that the culprits are brought to book immediately,’’ he said. (NAN)

     

    HOA/MNA