Elder statesman and frontline member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Mbazuluike Amaechi, has lambasted Chief Enwo Igariwey and Dr Joe Nworgu, the president general and secretary general, of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, respectively, saying their tenure was a disaster to Ndigbo.
He assured that the organization would come out stronger after ongoing consultations that would enthrone new leadership before the year runs out.
The nationalist, who spoke at his Ukpor country home in Anambra State, was not happy over the conduct of the duo of Igariwey and Nworgu during the last general elections, calling them sit-tight leaders, who refused to leave office even when their tenure had elapsed because of their selfish interests.
He said: “Recall that I took the initiative during the last general elections when I noticed that the tenure of the Igariwey leadership of Ohanaeze had expired and they insisted on remaining in office because of the money they wanted to grab from the then president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to the detriment of Ndigbo. With the support of other elders and leaders of Igbo land, we formed the caretaker committee headed by Chief Ralph Obioha.
“Eventually, we issued a statement in an advertorial which I personally signed, asking Ndigbo not to obey the order of Igariwey, that they should vote for Goodluck Jonathan; instead, they should vote according to their conscience.
“So, the Igariwey leadership is poor, myopic and not adequate. And since after the elections, there have been consultations because Ohanaeze needs to be re- organized with a new leadership,” he said.
“We have made mistakes but not for money. We need to cure ourselves of this propensity for wealth. We shouldn’t worship money as God. We have to do a proper re-thinking. There are consultations going on now and we hope that something good will come out”.
Meanwhile, President of Igbo Youths’ Coalition (IYC), Comrade Ikenna Ndubuisi, has condemned Igariwey for undermining the authority of the care- taker committee of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization headed by Chief Obioha.
He said: “Ohaneze Ndigbo is a platform for the advancement of the Igbo cause and, as such, should not be used for personal gains. Igariwey should respect the constitution of the body by recognising the current caretaker committee saddled with the responsibility of running the affairs of the body. If he is a committed patriot, he does not have to hold an executive position to add value to Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“The duo of Igariwey and Nwaogu have been using the name of the sociocultural organization to achieve their egocentric needs by approaching political appointees for contracts and other benefits. The purpose of establishing the body is to promote the cause of the South East and not for self-enrichment”.
Ndubuisi, therefore, urged Igariwey and his colleagues to work closely with the caretaker commit- tee in the interest of Ndigbo, adding that without peace and unity, Igboland will not progress. (Daily Sun)
