Ohanaeze Disowns Odimegwu Over Resignation From NPC—Clerics Reacts

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has disowned Mr Festus Odimegwu over his resignation as Chairman of National Population Commission. In a brief with concerned Igbo Clerics led by Rev Obinna Akukwe who sought clarifications over issues affecting Ndigbo, the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Joe Nwaorgu said that Mr Festus Odimegwu did not consult with Ohanaeze Ndigbo before his resignation.

According to the Ohanaeze scribe,” when he (Odimegwu) started receiving pressures from some quarters, we put up a paid advert stating our position on issues of NPC politics and Enugu Disco sale controversy. Later on Mr Odimegwu sent me a text that' there is no cause for alarm' and Ohanaeze never heard from him again till we read about his resignation on the pages of newspaper”.

Dr Nwaorgu fumed that if Ohanaeze was contacted when Odimegwu was under pressure, the body would have stepped into the situation with the view to salvaging the situation.

Reacting to the issue, the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ad Hoc Committee on National Conference, Prof Ukwu I Ukwu, described Mr Odimegwu's resignation as unfortunate. According to Prof Ukwu “Mr Odimegwu is a friend and a thorough bred gentleman, any pressure that led to his resignation must be addressed by Ohahaeze Ndigbo”. Commenting on Igbo position on the proposed National Conference, Prof Ukwu said that Igbos are not interested in dominating anybody, rather they want the practice of true federalism so that the Igbo sons and daughters would exist and survive in any part of the country they chose to live in. He decried the dearth of good governance in the South East and asked the Governors to improve on the welfare of the people so that Igbos will be glad to invest at home.

According to Prof Ukwu, “What Nigeria needs is good governance, whether Igbo, Hausa or Yoruba. There are good and bad leaders all over Nigeria. During the Shagari regime, Governor Abubakar Rimi in Kano State shot primary school enrollment from 203,000 in 1979 to 2.3 million by 1983 while in Anambra State under Governor Jim Nwobodo, primary school enrolment fell from 2.7 million to 2.3 million within the same period, therefore, good governance is not limited to tribe, religion or region”

The Assistant Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu asked the Federal Government to ensure that an Igbo man replaces Odimegwu and also ensure a credible census where all factors of national interest is included.

In a similar development, Igbo clerics have condemned the tendencies to blackmail of Igbo public officers out of office. Briefing some pastors, bishops and church leaders yesterday at Enugu over undue pressures on Igbo public servants to resign on issues bordering on tribalism, Rev Obinna Akukwe condemned unnecessary hounding of Igbo public servants out of office by pressures from the North. According to Rev Akukwe ” Mrs Rose Uzomah was hounded out of Immigration by one Minister from the North, Odimegwu was chased away by pressures from Northern Governors led by Kwaakwanso, their next target would be the current Army Chief, Ihejirika, all aimed at maintaining the lopsided mess in the system”.

He asked Ohanaeze to be pro-active when Igbo public officers are under undue pressures and added that Igbo clerics should not defend Igbo public servants who loot the treasury in order not to show bad example but those with genuine cases will be attended to.

In his address, Apostle Dr PCJ Macjossy warned those toying with the destiny of Ndigbo to prepare for trouble as the clerics will not allow further degradation of their destiny and opportunities. He called on Igbos to “prepare for the proposed three day prayers that will usher them into reclaiming lost glory and end their long time enigmatic trauma”.

Reacting over the issue, Archbishop Dr A A Nwodika asked Igbos to turn to God so that all these oppressions will end. According to Archbishop Nwodika” The Igbo man is more interested in business, abandoning God, which is why every other tribe is riding over us.

Once we get back to our God roots in Jesus, all these political and economic problems will begin to disappear”. He lamented the victimization of Igbo public servants and described it as a root problem which only God will solve.