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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A tripartite team comprising the All Progressives Congress (APC), OUK Movement and the Reality Organization has condemned a recent attack on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu by some misguided persons claiming to be leaders of Ohafia youths in Abia State.
Equally condemning the attack are the Udumeze of Ohafia, Ezie Awa Orji Udonsi, and the President-General of Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU) Worldwide, Prince Kalu Ikpemini.
A statement jointly signed by Obasi Kalu Obasi and Onyekachi U. Uduma, purported chairman and secretary respectively of the said youth association, falsely accused Sen Kalu of branding Ohafia as the zone of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and, as such, declaring that he was no longer wanted in the community.
Following the statement, the Tripartite Team countered it, describing the action as misguided, baseless and anchored on outright falsehood.
To protect the integrity, peace and reputation of Ohafia, the team, led by Prince Emma Nwosu, alongside Comrade Chidi Ukoha, Abrus Onwuka Olua, Princess Ifeoma Okereke, Mbila Uma Ayi and Joe Emmanuel, paid a formal visit to the Udumeze of Ohafia in the presence of the Eze-Agba (Prime Minister) of Ohafia to officially lodge a complaint and present the true facts surrounding the matter.
During the visit, the publication and radio announcements against Sen Kalu were roundly condemned as reckless and capable of inciting tension, noting that the individuals behind them lacked the legitimate mandate or authority to speak on behalf of the Ohafia community.
The team noted that Senator Kalu remains a widely respected leader and statesman, whose contributions to Ohafia, Abia State and Nigeria are well documented.
The Udumeze of Ohafia, in particular, expressed strong disapproval of the actions of the said group, describing the outburst as unacceptable and inimical to communal peace.
The traditional institution assured that such matters would not be allowed to fester or threaten harmony in Ohafia.
The Tripartite Team also visited the President-General of Ohafia Improvement Union (OIU) Worldwide, Prince Kalu Ikpemini, who equally expressed deep displeasure and outright condemnation of the action taken by the so-called youth association.
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He promised to immediately call the youths and their leadership to order, stressing that no unauthorised or expired body has the right to issue pronouncements for the Ohafia people.
The meeting warned that any continued attempt to impersonate, misinform or malign respected leaders will attract appropriate traditional, community and legal consequences.
Meanwhile, the Udumeze of Ohafia-in-Council, the highest traditional body in Ohafia, has also condemned the attack.
In a statement titled, “Re-proclamation of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as ‘persona non grata in Ohafia’”, and signed by Chief Imo Ukwa Imo (Oluoha), S.A. Media, Publicity and Protocol to the council, the Udumeze chided those who signed the proclamation for overstepping their bounds.
The statement read in part: “The Udumeze Ohafia Ancient Kingdom, Ezie Ohamoha, Elder Awa Orji Udonsi and the Council of Ohafia monarchs have noted with grave concern the purported pronouncement on Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, the senator representing Abia North in the National Assembly, as a ‘persona non grata’ in Ohafia by the Ohafia Youth Association.
“The 1999 Constitution, as amended, Sections 39 and 40, guarantees, among other rights to her citizens, freedom of expression and association, while Section 41 guarantees freedom of movement.
“Udumeze Ohafia and the Council of Ohafia monarchs, custodians of Ohafia people at home and in the diaspora, her institutions and organs, condemn in strong terms the said proclamation by the Ohafia Youth Association.”
The Udumeze said such action is obstructive to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and declared the proclamation null and void and of no effect.
The council said it was committed to ensuring the continued peace, stability and progress of Ohafia.
