Ohanaeze crisis: My purported suspension illegal, null, void – Youth Leader
Uchenna Mercy, Abakaliki
The National Youth of apex sociocultural organisation in Igbo land, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (Youth Wing), Engr Damian Okafor, has said his purported suspension was illegal, null and void.
According to him, the said suspension was the handiwork of a few members of the National Executive Committee, who were opposed to his stance that Igbo youths should desist from insulting their leaders, and therefore, should be disregarded.
He further observed that these few unscrupulous elements had no locus standi in line with the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to convene a meeting, where a decision on the said suspension was taken.
Damian stated this during a press conference, in Abakaliki, on Monday, adding even the President-General of the present body, the Ohanaeze, had not directed anybody to hold any meeting regarding suspension.
He said, “My attention has been drawn to my purported suspension as the Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, by a handful of misguided members of NEC of the Youth Wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.
“Ordinarily, I would have ignored the said purported suspension which has been circulating on the social media, but in order to put the records straight to avoid misleading the unsuspecting members of the public, I wish to state as follows:
“That I, Engr Damian Okafor, was duly elected as the Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on August 5, 2021, alongside other Executive members by the General Assembly of the Youth Wing comprising representatives of youths from the all Igbo speaking states.
“That I have also been duly sworn-in and Certificate of Return issued to me alongside other NEC members by our parent body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, led by Professor George Obiozor, on August 20, 2021.
“That my purported suspension was the handiwork of a few NEC members who are opposed to our position that Igbo youths should desist from insulting our leaders, and therefore, they should be disregarded.
“That these few elements, who embarked on this failed mission have no locus standi, in line with the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, to convene a meeting of NEC for my suspension.
“This is even moreso, when the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, had directed them not to hold such kangero and diversionary meeting, they still defied the order.
“That the purported suspension was born out of malice and desperation, as they could not point out in clear terms what my offences are, to warrant such dissident and ridiculous moves against Ohanaeze.
“That we are already aware that these few elements are doing the biddings of their paymasters who are interested in the destabilization of Ndigbo, including the relative peace now being enjoyed in the region, courtesy of the new Ohanaeze leadership.”
