A front-line Igbo activist and the Secretary-General of the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has disclosed that the recent media blackmail targeted at him by the Iwuanyanwu-led faction was borne out of fear of the implementation of the Igbo Bishops’ report on the Ohanaeze crisis.
A statement by Isiguzoro on Monday, in Abakaliki, said that Ohanaeze held her election on Jan 9, 2021, at Brown and Brown Center Enugu, based on the Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s constitution articles 11, 12, and 13, with the 9-man electoral panel led by Prince Dr. Richard Ozobu and Dr. Precious Uzoma, and Certificates of Return were issued as evidence of the election to the 24 new members elected.
According to Mazi Isiguzoro, they are ready to abide by the recommendation and reports of the Conference of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops, adding that they are only fighting the irregularities in the system and to return Ohanaeze to Ndigbo, which will be devoid of external manipulation and Governors control.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide’s attention has been drawn to the frivolous accusations and cheap blackmail targeted at the Secretary-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, by those whose antecedents stinks and remained questionable in the Southeast.
“They have evil intentions to hoodwink the public, especially the Presidency, with fanciful falsehood. This is the height of desperation and adult delinquency. We urge the public to disregard statements emanating from those, who are trying to give a dog a bad name to hang it.
“It is nonsensical and laughable for a faction rejected by Ndigbo to deploy unconstitutional means and resorted to blackmail just to have access to Presidency and use the Ohanaeze brand name to mortgage the destiny of Igbos and the future of her unborn generation.
“We urge the general public to disregard any news emanating from Iwuanyanwu until the Igbo Bishops’ report on the Ohanaeze crisis is fully implemented.
“Our suspicion has been reinforced that Chief Iwuanyanwu’s faction is afraid of the recommendation and report of the conference of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops’ report, which will restore peace and harmony to the apex Igbo Socio-cultural Organisation.
“Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu received officially the Secretary of Conference of Igbo Bishops and Archbishops on June 1st, 2023, where Methodist Bishop of Umuahia, Bishop Chibuzo Opoko, presented officially to him the Igbo Bishops’ recommendation and report on Ohanaeze crisis after they (the Bishops) waded into the crisis between the two factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. But like the proverbial leopard whose spot cannot be changed, Iwuanyanwu’s faction became unsettled and jittery and resorted to media trials.
“We will publish the Igbo Bishops’ recommendation and report for public consumption so that Ndigbo, home and diaspora, will know the truth and leverage Iwuanyanwu’s faction to accept and abide by the Bishops’ report on Ohanaeze crisis and stop gallivanting in the media.
“Igbos should inquire from one Alex Ogbonnia, to return the funds and compensation palliative collected from ex-Governor Wike on behalf of families of slain Biafran Agitators at Obigbo, Rivers State.
“Lastly, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro is a well-known community leader and law-abiding citizen residing in Obingwa, Abia State, and we will continue to work for the collective interests of Igbo and Nigeria at large,” he vowed.
