The Elders Council of the apex Igbo socio-cultural group,Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has mandated the leadership of the body, led by Chief Gary Igariwey to handover the leadership of the body with effect from January 7.
The Elders Council said that the Igariwey-led executive has expired going by Ohanaeze constitution.
In a statement made available to newsmen and signed by Chief Ralph Obioha,a member of the Elders Council, it maintained that Ohanaeze constitution has not been amended and under article 29 of the constitution, it clearly stipulates two years tenure for its elected executive.
According to Obioha:”the Igariwey executive shall be operating illegally with effect from January 7. There is no evidence of an amendment of Ohanaeze constitution. For the avoidance of doubt, the immediate past General Secretary of Ohanaeze, Chief Nduka Eya is alive and healthy and has stated many times that no constitutional amendment has been carried out in Ohanaeze.
“This has been collaborated by active leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo such as Chief Mbazulike Amaechi,Prof. Elo Amucheazi,Dr. Zed Chukwuujam,Prof. Joe Irukwu, Rear Adm. Adubisi Kanu, Dr. Dozie Ikedife,Prof. Ben Obumselu,Prof. Uzoinma Nwala etc.
“The two year extension granted to late Chief Raph Uwaechue cannot by any imagination be termed as an amendment to the constitution of Ohanaeze. An amendment if it is to be valid must adopt the full process for enacting such amendment with stringent process as notices,adherence to voting conditions,minutes,publication etc.
The statement went:” we the Elders Council have requested that Igariwey and Nwaorgu should deliver the audited accounts of Ohanaeze immediately,account for the huge sums of money collected on behalf of Ndigbo in the Ohanaeze Foundation especially the Ikenga Mass Transport started with 32 Toyota buses,the N350 million in the account of the foundation with Diamond bank, the USD 150,000 shared amongst the member of Ohanaeze executive and N25 million donated by the Anambra State Government for the 2014 Igbo day celebration.”
