From Jude Chinedu, Enugu
Igbo think-tank, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has expelled the immediate past president of the group, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala, from its fold over alleged gross misconduct, lawlessness and massive corruption.
The group in a statement jointly signed by its National Secretary, Chief Abia Onyike, and the National Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Obinwugo, said that it could no longer condone Nwala’s idiosyncrasies and has therefore expelled him from the group.
The embattled former president, Nwala had last week, during a press conference, suspended ADF’s new executive and some members of the Board of Trustees, including Obi Onubogu and Sam Ohuabunwa, ordering them to appear before a disciplinary committee for their roles in conducting a fresh election of the body.
However, ADF accused Nwala of trying to make himself a life president having occupied the position since 2014 when the group was formed. They alleged that Nwala was micro-managing ADF and was running it as a sole proprietor.
They noted that, “Prof. Nwala was elected as President of ADF in March, 2014 and was re-elected again in 2018. He spent a total of 10 years in office. However, several members of the organization had complained bitterly about Nwala’s autocratic and dictatorial style of leadership.
“Over one year ago, all the officers who were elected with the former President had deserted him because of his lack of consultation with fellow Executive Council Members.The last time a Council meeting was held was on 13th June, 2023.
“The meeting was rancorous and Nwala lost control of the organization in terms of leadership. Members had been fed up as allegations of corruption against Nwala reigned supreme.”
ADF further revealed that,”When the initial date for the ADF elections slated for 14th March, 2024 drew near, the BOT and Elders Committee of ADF decided to finally wade into the matter to avoid a division in ADF.
“The elders met and resolved that Nwala and the ADF members opposed to his tenure elongation should steer a middle course for the preservation of the unity of ADF. They put forward a new date of 6th April, 2024 which Nwala accepted.
“All the parties were eventually persuaded to accept the date of 6th April, 2024. Note that this new date was against the earlier date of 14th March agreed to by the Petitioners and Prof. Nwala at the meeting of 20th January, 2024 in the house of Prof. Barth Nnaji.
“The minutes of this meeting is available for public scrutiny. It was when Nwala started his antics of wanting to divide ADF that the elders waded into the matter to satisfy Nwala and he eventually agreed to the 6th April, 2024 date for the election.
The group further said that, “Nwala having dissolved all the organs of ADF following his orchestrated Congress, according to his pronouncements on 4th April, 2024, Prof. Nwala unwittingly ceased to be the ADF president as the exco was part of the organs he pronounced dissolved.
“It was based on this development that the Elders of ADF directed that the election of 6th April, 2024 should proceed unhindered and the directive was carried out.”
They said that, ‘“The election of 6th April, 2024 was lawfully, orderly and peacefully conducted and a new executive council led by the ADF new president, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie was elected. A formal letter was written to the former President, Nwala to hand over to the new leadership of ADF. Up till now, Prof. Nwala is yet to acknowledge the receipt of the letter.”
On his expulsion, the group said that, “Based on the foregoing cumulative acts of lawlessness, gross misconduct, financial recklessness and massive corruption, insult of founders and leaders of ADF, including the audacity to suspend and invite to his so-called disciplinary committee, it has become imperative that ADF can no longer tolerate nor stomach his crude idiosyncrasies.
“Consequently therefore, and in compliance with the Constitution of ADF, Prof Uzodinma Nwala is hereby expelled from ADF with immediate effect. Let him come to terms with the fact that ADF is not his personal or private property. He will remain expelled until he shows remorse for his gross misconduct and acts unbecoming of an educated and refined fellow. Whatever happens, he must be held to account for his 10-year stewardship in ADF.”