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Ojukwu others demand dissolution of Ohanaeze, Onobu disagrees
From Gordi Udeajah (Umuahia) and Fred Okoro (Lagos)
A MAJOR crack has emerged in Igbo leadership with a demand by Ikemba Nnewi Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and some of his top political associates for the dissolution of the umbrella socio-cultural organization of the ethnic stock, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Their demand was, however, swiftly dismissed as "wishful thinking" by Justice Eze Ozobu, the national chairman of the group.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who was the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the recent general elections, and his associates made their demand at a meeting of the nascent Igbo National Assembly (INA) in Aba at the weekend.
The INA wants to play the role for which Ohanaeze was set up, and to pave way for this, it urged the latter's chieftains to wind it up.
Chief Odumegwu-Ojukwu, who announced the INA's demand on Sunday, stated that Ohanaeze ceased to exist from that day because "it has been a setback to Ndigbo."
He told the large crowd at the Enitona Hotel, venue of the event, that INA should meet immediately to draw its constitution and pick national executives.
On his part, Chief Onwuka Kalu, APGA's governorship candidate in the last election in Abia State, urged that after constituting the INA executive, committees should be set up to look into the fate of Ndigbo, their stand on the proposed council reform and the "recovery of the mandate given by Nigerians" to the alliance's flag bearers in the polls at all levels.
He claimed that APGA candidates had won as President and governors of Anambra, Abia, Enugu, Imo and even Ebonyi states as well as many legislative seats.
Odumegwu-Ojukwu said he would continue to pursue his petition to "reclaim" his "victory" against President Olusegun Obasanjo constitutionally.
But Chief Chekwas Okorie, the alliance's national chairman, who described 2003 as a year of emancipation and liberation, hinted that if the Supreme Court upheld the election of the incumbent as President, "APGA will, seven days after that verdict, give Nigeria a shadow government with executive legislative and judicial arms."
Speaking earlier, Dr. Tim Menakaya, a former health minister, and the INA's protem chairman, described the Sunday meeting as a memorial service day after PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on May 29, 2003 murdered democracy in Nigeria."
He enjoined Ndigbo to be steadfast in their support for the former Biafran leader.
Besides, INA rejects the proposed council reforms, he said.
Among those at the meeting were Chief Maxi Okwu, Secretary-General of Conference of Nigeria Political Parties and Uche Onyeagocha who represents Owerri constituency in the House of Representatives on APGA's platform.
Others were Chief Ugo Agballa, APGA's Enugu State governorship candidate, Chief Henry Ikoh and Reverend Rowland Nwosu, the gubernatorial flagbearers of the United Nigeria Peoples Party and Peoples Mandated Party in Abia State.
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Dr. Ezekiel Izuogu, APGA's Imo governorship candidate, sent representatives.
Reacting to INA's call for the scrapping of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ozobu told The Guardian in a telephone chat that he was not aware of the demand and the meeting.
The Ohanaeze national chairman described the move as "wishful thinking."
Ozobu declined to make further comments on the development _____________________________________
Which way forward for umu Igbo—-Oha na eze Ndi Igbo or the Igbo National Assembly (INA)?
As the face-off between these two organization continues, Igbo sons and daughters should take the time to reflect on what these two bodies stand for and decide which of them to trust with the general interests of the Igbo people. A house divided will surely fall. Why have we continued to remain so disunited? Are there hidden characters that are feeding the disunity amongst the Igbo and indirectly milking the situation to further their own interests? Can any of the two bodies be accused of pandering to the interests of a particular person/persons?
Whenever I read another article that underscores the level of suspicion, antagonism, hate, distrust and discord that exists amongst us, I can’t help wondering how we really expect to move forward. How many times have we had to read commonsense but subtly mocking write-ups from commentators of a different tribe, on how the Igbo people should put their house in order? The time to look inwards and take decisive steps to fix our problems is NOW. Please, I’d like you to reflect on these issues.
Would Igbo sons and daughters agree with the school of thought that the Ohanaeze are mere sitting ducks?
How many Igbo people think that the APGA’s decision to form a shadow government (INA) is a constructive way of tackling the many issues that continue to afflict us in Nigeria?
Does the INA have a right to demand for the dissolution of the Ohanaeze if the latter body claims to be a socio-cultural organization instead of a political one?
If Justice Eze Ozobu maintains his stance, what can we expect from the INA?
Is it impossible for these two bodies to work hand in hand?
Our people have a saying, “A nyuo mamiri onu, ogbaa ufufu”—which means that two heads are better than one. Let us discuss these issues. Reflect on it personally, or discuss it with some of your friends, but face the consequence of the clash between these two bodies, we all MUST! Where do you stand?
A lot of well meaning Ndigbo I have had an opportunity of discussing this issue with do not see much conflict arising from it. Ohaneze single handedly killed and buried itself while creating the need for a new proactive Igbo organization that would be responsive to the needs of Ndigbo. If INA now feels they can fill the void created by Ohaneze's inactivity, that can only be good for Ndigbo.
Now more than ever Ndigbo need brave leaders who are selfless and able to resist the temptation to sellout to Abuja, and when one looks at Ohaneze leadership that's not what is visible. Many will agree with me that a post in Ohaneze has always been a stepping stone for many sabo's in search of a political relevance in Abuja eg A.B.C Nwosu and Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. What exactly did Nwabueze as secretary general of Ohaneze have in mind when without evidence he told the world an Igbo son was planning or proclaiming himself president ? I guess that was the limit for most decent Ndigbo as that singular act was capable of giving the emperor at Aso Rock the impetus to commit untold acts against anybody he wishes in Igboland. How much have they said about the constant massacre of MASSOB men ?
INA as I see it is not an APGA issue, rather it appears to be the response of concerned Ndigbo to the lame duck attitude of Ohaneze towards the complete disenfranchisement of the whole Igbo race by the emperor and his Igbo collaborators some of whom are Ohaneze chiefteins. I am glad prodigal sons are coming home, first Menakaya now Anyim hopefully the rest will see the light and know that it is more important how you are seen at home than at Abuja. No doubt there is a need for a change of leadership in Igboland and if Ohaneze is incapable of reinventing and purging itself of opportunists then it needs to step aside.
In the minds of many like me Ohaneze has long been dead, we don't need Ojukwu telling us that. If they want to function as a parrallel organization they can go ahead but sooner than later they would have to make the hard and inevitable decision of closing shop.
Posts: 1532 | From: USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Nobody can say that Ohanaeze has not done a good job for Ndigbo, what lacks is the adaptation to the changing Nigerian society. But any organization to represent Ndigbo must be political and dissociated from a political party. As I have already proposed, such an organization ought to have a charter, a determined period in office for the repsentatives, 4 years non-renewable for example. The charter would define the objectives and the code of conduct of the office-holders. Finally, a scenario of electing the office-holders should be invented, only an elections make leaders legitimate. It is essential that decisions-making is collegial, there is no question having another dictator. Any body who is not elected by the people cannot be a leader. It is also another way to tell those aspring for Igbo leadership, "talk to us, convince us that you have a vision for Ndigbo". This is my stand.
___________________ 1) Everything you can imagine is real->Picasso
2) They taught you the praises of their God, and these hosannas, when tuned into your sorrows, gave you the hope of a better world to come-->Patrice Lumumba Posts: 379 | Registered: Apr 2003
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I beg to disagree with your position on Ohanaeze and the Igbo leadership, can you please elaborate more on what Ohanaeze and it's leadership has done for NdiIgbo to derserve any credit.
___________________ He likened the second coming of Christ to the realisation of the Biafran dream, stating that at a time people least expect, the much sought Biafra would be a reality..Rev. Fr. Cornelius Ezeiloaku Posts: 622 | From: santiago, chile | Registered: Jan 2002
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If you ask the president of ohanaeze and his deputy what the organization has achieved, they will give you a list of achievement. It would then be left to you to accept all the list in its entirety or not.
As much as I am concerned, Ohanaeze has been the most accepted Organization representing Ndigbo since 1970. I followed regularly the debate during last presidential elections where the organization called on all the Igbo to voted for APGA.
Of course they might have made some mistakes, have had problems of which we are not aware due to lack of communication.
Today we would like Ohanaeze to adapt to the changing Nigeria and the world. My stand is that we cannot say that Ohanaeze has been useless all these years, but we will not give it distinction neither.
As a sort of compromise, I propose that we be diplomatic. We have to thank Ohanaeze for all the good job the leaders have accomplished, but urge them to do more. They can do it alone or they can work togther with the recent INA(Igbo National Assembly). We have to adopt more tolerant attitude, always willing to learn. That is why they should prove to us that they are not going to mislead us, they should campaign so that we can pick holes in their arguments.
Even if some of us think that Ohanaeze has not achieved as expected, it would be undiplomatic to tell them that. The leaders of ohanaeze would not appreciate it. Another questions is why did we wait to see the creation of INA to say it? What makes us think that we won't criticise INA tomorrow?
Remark: Obasanjo did not know that Nigeria is British-made. He does not understand why the majority of nigerians want sovereign National Conference. He does not understand why some "lazy" nations in Nigeria want to control their natural resources. Obasanjo attributed all to some Easterners who want to be president of Nigeria. For full story, consult West Africa Magazine, 30/06/03 - 6/07/03, to which Obasanjo accorded an interview.
___________________ 1) Everything you can imagine is real->Picasso
2) They taught you the praises of their God, and these hosannas, when tuned into your sorrows, gave you the hope of a better world to come-->Patrice Lumumba Posts: 379 | Registered: Apr 2003
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Fortunately, the Administrator was kind enough as to make the necessary corrections, as i could not get around to doing it on account of a recent trip that I just took. Thanks a bunch for bringing that to my attention nevertheless
As for the 'misunderstanding' betwixt the Ohaneze and the INA, it is my belief that entities that bear the most hellish disaffection for Igbos, might cleverly manipulate the feud, and ultimately set these two bodies on a collision course with each other with far-reaching consequences on Igbos in general. That surely is a scenario, i need not emphasize, must not be allowed to happen!
A lot of people are yet to realize that the squabble between these two bodies only serves to sink what little hope we have of ever bridging the gap between us and the other two legs of the tripod that constitutes that curse of a geographical expression better known as Nigeria!
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