The foremost Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has voiced its endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s decision to suspend the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, amid allegations of N585 million fraud. Ohanaeze also expressed disapproval of the Acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, for urging Tinubu to reinstate Edu.
In a statement released over the weekend by its National Public Relations Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze critiqued Okpalaezeukwu’s press release, labeling it as falling short in logic, common sense, and conformity to the norms and traditions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The statement read, “The press release on Betta Edu by Okpalaezeukwu fails woefully by all standards of logic, common sense, rhyme, reason, interests, and all the known norms and traditions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.”
Ohanaeze emphasized that the Igbo credo is rooted in hard work, transparency, equity, and fairness, and questioned Okpalaezeukwu’s interference in the activities of anti-corruption agencies probing Edu.
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, expressed his displeasure with Okpalaezeukwu’s press release, stating that the Igbo heritage upholds values such as resourcefulness and an enabling environment for Igbo ingenuity to flourish.
The statement clarified that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide extends unwavering support to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to combating corruption, insurgency, banditry, and other forms of insecurity in Nigeria. It vehemently distanced itself from Okpalaezeukwu’s “youthful exuberance,” emphasizing that such actions should not be undertaken without proper clearance or consultations with the leadership.
In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide asserted its dedication to preserving the sacred nature of its role as the representative of Igbo history, emotions, and consciousness, denouncing any attempts at desecration by imprudent actions and distortions.
