Controversy Trails Choice Of Iwuanyanwu As New Ohanaeze President General

There is controversy over the choice of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the new President General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo as one of the affiliate groups, Njiko Igbo Forum, has declared that it would not recognise him.

The group in a statement made available to newsmen in Enugu yesterday said it would not accept the choice of Iwuanyanwu as replacement for the late Obiozor.

The statement signed by the President of the socio-political group, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, stated that Imo State elders should have chosen Dr. Joe Nworgu, who contested the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with Obiozor two years ago.

Besides, the group stated that Nworgu, a former secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo from Imo State, distinguished himself while in office.

“Njiko Igbo Forum, a socio-political and strong, visible affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide since 1999, rejects Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”

“As the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is demised and Imo State is unarguably the state to still retain the President General, we strongly recommend Joe Nworgu PhD (Cambridge) who was one the contestants to that position,” Obioha said.

The group noted that Nworgu is suitably qualified to take up the mantle of Igbo leadership, having served dutifully as Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, adding that he was for several years the Deputy Secretary General.

“If Chief Iwuanyanwu wants to be called the President General, he is on his own and will not be recognised by us and l am sure that other affiliate organisations of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide will not recognise him,” the statement added.

The statement further called on those responsible for the recommendation and presentation of Iwuanyanwu to withdraw it in the interest of Ndigbo, stressing that the former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustees (PDP BOT) lacks what it takes to lead Ndigbo.