Ohanaeze to meet over leadership crisis in youth wing

From Jude Chinedu, Enugu

The National Executive Council (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will soon meet over the brewing leadership crisis in its youth wing.

Administrative Secretary of the body, Ambrose Obiora disclosed this when some members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth wing in Ebonyi State known as Integrity Group, staged a protest against alleged attempt by the state government to impose a candidate on them in the upcoming election of the national youth leader zoned to the state.

He said: “But from what I know, the National Executive Council is supposed to meet soon on this issue because there are constitutional processes with which these things are supposed to be addressed.

“We think that it is necessary for the NEC to meet first and look dispassionately on the issues raised with a view to making sure that it is addressed in the most amicable and appropriate way. I will hand over your letter to the appropriate authority to deal with it.”

The protesters stormed the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze in Enugu singing solidarity songs and displaying placards indicative of their call for level playing ground in the election.

Leader of the group, Christopher Aniegu, told the Administrative Scribe of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation that said they decided to stand up against what would amount to a big slight on the entire Ebonyi people.

He said they were not comfortable with a situation where a position which was zoned to the state was hijacked in favour of an individual.
“You can’t say that it must be a particular person. We have people that are capable. We have people that have whatever it takes to deliver for Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“So, our prayer is let there be a level playing ground in the exercise of the election of the youth wing which you are about doing. This is just our singular request,” he said.

A protest letter addressed to the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, George Obiozor was read by their spokesman, Igwe Ebube, who urged the organization to follow its constitution and due process in resolving the matter.