• To deliberate on Iwuanyanwu, Igbo profiling, Kanu’s release, existential threat, others

 

From Magnus Eze, Enugu

Imeobi, the apex organ of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, will meet tomorrow to address the myriad of challenges facing Ndigbo especially since after the general elections.

The Imeobi Ohanaeze is made up of governors from the seven Ohanaeze states; ex-governors, ministers and former ministers, elders as well as leading traditional rulers and religious leaders, among others.

It would be the last time Governors David Umahi (Ebonyi), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), would be attending the meeting as state chief executives.

Meanwhile, the meeting would not hold at the GRA Enugu National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The group conveyed the change of venue to the governors and other members of the Imeobi in a letter dated April 25, 2023, which was sighted by Saturday Sun.

The letter signed by its Secretary General, Okey Emuchay, said the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi “has graciously approved the use of the Old Government Lodge, Abakaliki Road, Enugu as venue of the upcoming Imeobi Ohanaeze.

“The Imeobi which is scheduled to hold on Sunday 30th April, 2023 at 11:00am will deliberate on issues affecting Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Igbo Nation and Nigeria.” 

Saturday Sun reliably gathered that the adoption of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the President General of the Pan Igbo socio-cultural organisation would top the agenda.

The business mogul was until recently the Chairman of Ohanaeze Elders Council, but following the demise of the President General of the body, George Obiozor, he was nominated by Imo Elders to complete the tenure of the late Igbo leader.

Also, to be looked into are the continued incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu and the intractable misuse or abuse of Ohanaeze’s name by different persons and groups pretending to be acting on behalf of the ethnic body.   

A highly respected Igbo leader who wished not to be named told our reporter that the body would review the recently held general election particularly as it concerns Ndigbo beginning with the case of the Labour Party’s Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in the election tribunal and the attack on Igbo residents in Lagos and destruction of their property.

He added that “the fate of Ndigbo in an Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidency would be critically reviewed. Already, our people are clearly excluded in his transition committee.” 

Iwuanyanwu’s selection has no doubt attracted mixed reactions, but many commentators believe that his leadership would bring about the desired peace in the South-East.

The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide endorsed the elder statesman last weekend in Owerri, Imo State, as the organisation’s next President-General.

The youths, who urged the Federal Government to release the detained leader of IPOB, Kanu, to enable him access proper healthcare, noted that such move would also contribute to peace in the land.

Financial Secretary of the Igbo youth wing, Mr Chinedu Arthur-Ugwa, stated that Iwuanyanwu’s leadership will usher in a period of positive development in Igbo land in the areas of education, sports, security and economic emancipation, among others.

As eminent persons and groups continue to throw their weight behind Iwuanyanwu ahead of his confirmation as the new leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, IPOB in its congratulatory message has urged him to follow his predecessor’s footsteps in administering the affairs of the organisation.

Most importantly, IPOB spokesman, Emmanuel Powerful, appealed to Iwuanyanwu to consolidate the efforts made by Obiozor to call for Kanu’s unconditional release.

Powerful similarly warned Iwuanyanwu to refrain from any activity that will be detrimental to the people of the South-East.

“We want to congratulate Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo as he emerges the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo on April 30. We hope he would follow the already laid down request made by his late predecessor.

“Obiozor and other notable Igbo leaders like the late Mbazuluike Amaechi have been making frantic efforts to have our leader released. We only hope Iwuanyanwu would follow their footsteps, but if he does not, he would only have us to contend with.

“Iwuanyanwu is well respected in Nigeria and the whole of South-East. He has what it takes to grant us our wish,” Powerful said.

Notwithstanding, the newspaper gathered that the Imeobi members look forward to a very stormy session as those opposed to the process which threw up Iwuanyanwu are squaring up to challenge his enthronement at the Enugu meeting.