We’ve No Leadership Cracks – Ohanaeze Ndigbo C-River Chapter

BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Cross River State has debunked insinuations of crippling leadership tussle within the apex Igbo cultural organization in the state

President General of Igbo community in Calabar, Pharmacist Obi Onyeka said such toxic rumours are the handiwork of mischief makers whose stock in trade is to promote selfish and destructive agenda against the body.

Dismissing the claims during a media briefing in Calabar, Onyeka described those spreading such misinformation as wicked and simply out to instigate crisis within the hitherto peaceful and cohesive organization.

He admitted that the body may have faced accountability and transparency challenges recently, but said such issues are not what anyone should magnify as leadership crisis within its fold.

According to Onyeka, the issue at stake centres around members’ demand that the immediate past executives account for the 20 million Naira donated by Governor Ben Ayade to the organization for the construction of Igbo secretariat in the State.

He however told journalists that though the said Executives failed to properly account for the funds, members have, in the spirit of unity and overriding interest of harmony within the organisation, decided to “let sleeping dog lie”.

Pharmacist Onyeka, who flanked by 18 local government chapter Presidents in the state, said it is however sad to note despite the goodwill and understanding demonstrated by members, the suspended Ohanaeze President has continued to carry on as if he is the one offended by the happenings within the body.

On claims that there is no traditional stool like Eze-Igbo Cross River, Onyeka dismissed it as baseless, saying that just as the Hausa-Fulani have Sariki Lawan as their leader, Sir Emmanuel Ezenwenyi remains the Eze-Igbo in the state

Onyeka, who is also Chief Executive Officer of the popular pharmaceutical company in Calabar, Bez Pharmacy, disclosed that towards putting the house in order, the Cross River chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is planning its congress for May 2021 to elect a new executive that will run its affairs for the coming years.

He said the ousted executives’ tenure had expired since March 2020 but circumstances, including the COVID-19 pandemic, made the election of a new executive committee difficult until now.

But when contacted, the former Ohanaeze President, Barrister Ugoji Nwabueze, allegedly suspended from office, told Forefront that he is ready to embrace peace by apologizing to Eze-Igbo, Sir Emmanuel Ezenwenyi if the process is genuine and transparent

Meanwhile, the Eze-Igbo, Sir Ezenwenyi has continued to receive solidarity visits by prominent Igbo leaders across the state, including some traditional rulers, who are trooping to pay their homage.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Cross River comprises all Igbo Community Associations operating in all the 18 local government areas of the state. It was formerly known and called Igbo Consultative Assembly before it became a chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo National.