Can somebody tell Emeka Ugwu Oju and his co-travelers that Ohanaeze Train has since left the station*
I wish to address the ongoing situation concerning our esteemed brother, Emeka Ugwu Oju, and his associates. It has become increasingly evident that the Ohanaeze train has departed and cruising majestically. It’s crucial for us to reaffirm our collective commitment to the foundational principles of our organization.
There is a saying that when one’s brother engages in reckless dance of shame at the market square, it leads to discomfort and unrest within the community. Recently, Mr. Ugwu Oju’s behaviour has raised concerns as he appears to take an overly zealous stance on the role of de facto President of Ohanaeze Worldwide, straying from the core values that our organization embodies. Rather than seeking to integrate into the mainstream framework of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide through open and transparent contestation for zoned positions within Enugu State, there seems to be a reliance on shadowboxing tactics that lack substance and sincerity, just as he did during Chief Nnia Nwodo’s administration
Unfortunately, Mr. Ugwu Oju and his supporters seem to have deviated from the principles of collective responsibility and unity that are critical to the mission of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Their actions appear to exploit sentiments for personal recognition and relevance, a strategy that undermines the integrity of leadership and community engagement.
In light of the significant Ime-Obi Ohanaeze meeting held on December 14, 2024, which concluded with an important communiqué guiding our organization’s objectives, it is disheartening to observe a counterproductive trajectory from Mr. Ugwu Oju and his associates. Instead of embracing the unifying themes and strategic initiatives proposed during the meeting, their focus has shifted towards creating unnecessary discord. By selectively referencing Jackson Omenazu’s faulty report, the 2015 Ohanaeze constitution, and offering their personal interpretations of Ime-Obi members across various platforms, they seem intent on sowing seeds of division within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the entire Igbo Nation.
It is imperative to acknowledge that such actions detract from our overarching goals and jeopardize the unity we must preserve at this critical juncture in our history. The directives emanating from the Ime-Obi meeting were thoughtfully crafted to promote collaboration and strengthen our leadership structures, enhancing our capacity for effective advocacy on behalf of the Igbo Nation.
The emergence of Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide during the Ime-Obi meeting should serve as a clear signal to Emeka Ugwu Oju and his associates that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is in capable hands. It is quite amusing to see his purported message suggesting names for consideration by P.G Nze Ozichukwu for the Ohanaeze Worldwide Electoral Committee. Such attempts only highlight his misunderstanding of the current leadership dynamics.
In the lead-up to the Ime-Obi meeting, we witnessed the circulation of viral voice messages from Hartford Ugwu, in which he projected his personalized vision of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. The claim that Gen. Ihekaire would be appointed the Chairman of the National Electoral Committee by a non-NEC member, which was perplexing and rightly raises questions about the legitimacy of such assertions. I had anticipated Mr. Ugwu’s presence at the Ime-Obi meeting to engage in constructive dialogue, yet he was notably absent.
Harford Ugwu is not qualified to attend the Ime-obi meeting. It’s important to remind everyone that he was the one who circulated false information claiming that during Ohanaeze Leadership retreat ‘Ako Bu Ije’ that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Ohanaeze were paid 100 billion naira by the Fulani in exchange for apologies regarding the killings of their people. Harford never disclosed which banks were involved in managing this substantial amount for Ohanaeze. For over two months, this malicious fake news spread across the globe.
After his apologies that it was a slip from himself, Harford is back to his usual tactics of cheap blackmail and misinformation. Additionally, Emeka Ugwu Uju, Chris Okoye, and Okey Nwadinobi have formed Anya Ndigbo with the intent to undermine Ohanaeze. However, their organization has achieved nothing of significance. Ohanaeze remains the sole socio-cultural apex body for the Igbo nation.
Emeka Ugwu Uju will soon realize that the Igbo nation extends far beyond him in every aspect. He should focus on his own NGO rather than attempting to belittle Ohanaeze. He does not contribute financially to Ohanaeze, nor does he engage in its activities or meetings. Furthermore, he has not provided any support to Ohanaeze in Enugu State, where he comes from. The same applies to others in his group. They should return to their states to contribute positively to Ohanaeze and their local town unions.
Instead of fostering unity during these challenging times, those who claim leadership seem focused on furthering divisions among us.
I urge all members to engage in constructive dialogue and reaffirm our commitment to the principles of transparency, inclusiveness, and mutual respect that underpin our organization. By prioritizing our shared vision and working towards the collective good, we can navigate these turbulent waters and emerge as a stronger, more cohesive Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Together, let us prioritize the interests of our community above individual ambitions and divisive tactics.
Thank you for your attention and commitment to our collective mission.
Warm regards,
Chief Norbert Ofordile convener Odimma Ala-Igbo