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The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Council has come out in strong support of calls for an interim leader to take the helm of the organization, ensuring continuity and stability in these uncertain times. This move is seen as a way to maintain stability until a new president-general can be elected or appointed from Imo State to serve out the remainder of the term.
The leadership reins of Ohanaeze are up for grabs following the passing of President General Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu just weeks ago. Iwuanyanwu’s tenure was marked by a unique challenge – he led solo, without a Deputy President General, after stepping in to complete the term of the late Prof. George Obiozor, who hailed from Imo State.
In a communiqué issued after their Enugu meeting, the Ohanaeze youth wing has pressed for the immediate appointment of an acting president-general, citing the need for a strong hand to steer the organization. According to Chika Adiele, National Publicity Secretary, this move is essential to harness the group’s energies and maintain its trajectory.
In a demonstration of unity and purpose, the Ohanaeze youth assembly has backed the emergency NEC meeting, pledging to provide comprehensive support and cooperation to facilitate a successful and outcome-driven gathering.
Elaborating on their stance, the Ohanaeze youths have reaffirmed their unflinching confidence in the leadership of Chukwuma Okpalaezukwu, the acting National Youth Leader, and are advocating for his full recognition and participation in the upcoming NEC meeting and other events.
Read also: Iwuanyanwu: Ohanaeze Sinks Back Into Old Leadership Quagmire
Specifically, they are requesting that he be accorded all the rights and privileges commensurate with his position as the representative of the youth wing, to ensure his effective contribution and representation of their interests.
The youths also noted that they have commissioned independent investigators to analyze the finances of the Ohanaeze, adding that “preliminary findings suggest that over ₦700 million, comprising over ₦100 million, handed over by NniaNwodo to the current NEC, over ₦100 million generated by the late Prof. George Obiozor and over ₦500 million mobilised through the goodwill of the late Iwuanyanwu in his short stint as President General, has not been convincingly accounted for.”
The Ohanaeze youths also stated that they brought in outside experts to comb through the organization’s financial records, unearthing preliminary findings that suggest a staggering N700 million has gone unaccounted for. This massive sum includes funds passed down from NniaNwodo, revenues generated under the late Prof. George Obiozor’s watch, and monies raised during the late Iwuanyanwu’s brief tenure as President General.
