From Bamigbola

Gbolagunte, Akure

The Ohaneze Ndigbo in Ondo State has declared that the position of Onyendu Ndigbo recently announced by the Deji of Akure, Oba Ogunlade Aladetoyinbo as leader of Igbos in the state is not vacant.

The Igbo sociocultural organization also reaffirmed its confidence in the current Onyendu Ndigbo in the state, Chief W I Onyema, saying he remains the leader of Igbo people living in the state.

In a communique issued at the end of the general meeting of the organization held in Ore, headquarters of Odigbo Local Government Area of the state, Ohaneze threw its weight behind the proscription of the title of Eze Ndigbo in Ondo State.

The communique signed by the President and secretary of the organization, Barrister Uche Abangwu and Mr Anyadike Donatus, respectively, described the title of Eze Ndigbo outside Igbo land as a sacrilege against Igbo customs and traditions.

According to the communique, the South East Council of Traditional Rulers had at its meeting held on February 20, 2008, in Umuahia abolished Eze Ndigbo title outside Igbo land.

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The communique reads in part: “In as much as Ohaneze Ndigbo in Ondo State is in support of the title of Onyendu Ndigbo in Ondo State, we hereby state that at one of our general meetings, Chief Onyema was unanimously adopted as the Onyendu Ndigbo in Ondo State.

“In as much as Ohaneze Ndigbo is not against the formation of Igbo General Assembly, we hereby state that Ohaneze Ndigbo, being the umbrella body of all the Igbo in Ondo State is superior to every other Igbo organization in Ondo State.

“The Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ondo State is one indivisible entity and its membership is attracted from all the 18 local government areas in the state and not from Akure South alone. And the leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Ondo State is well recognized by the national headquaters of the organization.

“Therefore, any political appointment not to the knowledge of the state body of Ohaneze Ndigbo led by Barrister Uche Abangwu is not in the interest of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the state.”

The communique added that the membership of Ohaneze Ndigbo is open to all Igbo in the state, adding that various groups are already masquerading as Igbo organizations in the state for political purposes.

The organization also congratulated its president General, Dr John Nwodo (Jnr) on his recent victory in the election.

Also, Ohaneze Ndigbo congratulated Ondo State Governor-elect, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and prayed God to guide him in his endeavours, even as it pledged its loyalty to him and the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo.