Briefing journalists late Wednesday evening at the Ohanaeze's National Secretariat in Enugu after a long National Executive Committee meeting of the organisation, its President General Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu vowed that such “charlatans” would no longer be allowed to have their way.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has vowed to take action against dissidents working against Igbo interests and those using the name of the organisation to trade with some political harlots.
Briefing journalists late Wednesday evening at the Ohanaeze's National Secretariat in Enugu after a long National Executive Committee meeting of the organisation, its President General Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu vowed that such “charlatans” would no longer be allowed to have their way.
The apex Igbo body insisted that there is no faction in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, saying it is only the Iwuanyanwu-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo that exists.
Iwuanyanwu stated that after the meeting of the NEC, the organisation decided to submit the names of dissidents led by one Okechukwu Isiguzoro who parades himself as the Secretary General of Ohanaeze to Ime Obi, the highest decision-making body of Ohanaeze for necessary punishment.
According to Iwuanyanwu, their names would also be sent to all Igbo communities for them to be ostracized. He alleged that the factional group was being driven by money.
Iwuanyanwu said as a father, he had called Isiguzoro and advised him, but he allegedly demanded a huge amount of money to take care of his health.
He said he promised to assist him but still he did not stop issuing “illegal statements to always counter Ohanaeze Ndigbo's position on issues, just to confuse the public”.
The President General explained that Ibe who was working with them had come to him to tender an apology and show his support, indicating that he was no more with them.
Iwuanyanwu said the most painful action taken by the alleged dissidents was a rumour they circulated last week, accusing him of planning to beg the North over the 1966 coup.
He said such a thing was never contemplated or discussed at any Ohanaeze Ndigbo meeting, insisting that such would never happen.
He insisted that the 1966 military coup was not plotted by Igbo officers. He said rather an Igbo General stopped it, adding that Igbo people deserve commendation for that.
Iwuanyanwu said the NEC decided to take the activities of the alleged dissidents to Ime Obi to take drastic action because they would destroy Igbo land if not stopped.
He said they did the same to past Ohanaeze leaders, insisting that they would investigate to know their sponsors.
He insisted that the Igbo people deserve an apology from Nigeria for the genocide committed against them by the Nigerian state and not the other way round.