The Chairman,
Concerned Imeobi Members (CIM),
Dear Sir,
GLOBAL IGBO LEADERS (GIL) REJECTS THE LATEST ACTIONS OF PROF GEORGE
This is a follow up to our earlier letter on this subject in which we conveyed our acceptance of the report of the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and called for its immediate implementation.
GIL condemns in the strongest terms the continuous disregard of the Joint Body (JB) and the generality of Ndiigbo by Prof George Obiozor and his faction. Prof. George Obiozor and his faction agreed to comply with the outcome of Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops peace task to unite Ndiigbo around Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The report of the Archbishops and Bishops has been made public with the request for an Imeobi meeting to be convened for the deliberation of their recommendations.
GIL and all the other parties to the dispute have accepted the recommendations and are awaiting the convening of the meeting of the statutory members of Imeobi. It is considered disrespectful and dishonorable for a man who desires to lead to treat our religious leaders with contempt. Our investigations reveal that the report was sent to Prof George Obiozor in hard copy by courier and electronically through his WhatsApp number.
GIL is aware that at the recent meeting of the Concerned Imeobi Members (CIM), it was agreed that further attempt will be made through some Igbo elders to prevail on Prof. Obiozor’s faction to put the interest of Ndiigbo above any other consideration.
While all the concerned parties waited for the outcome of further intervention by Igbo elders, GIL was shocked to learn that the Obiozor faction continues to undermine and disregard Ndiigbo by convening a NEC meeting and inaugurating a Political Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The said Committee has Prof Obiozor as Chairman and Ambassador
Emuchay, his factional Secretary-General as the Secretary. This action compels us as representatives of Igbo stakeholders to question the real motives of the Prof Obiozor faction of Ohanaeze in consideration of the understanding or otherwise of the challenges confronting Ndiigbo in today’s Nigeria.
The actions of Prof Obiozor and his faction are incomprehensible as they run counter to Ohanaeze laid down policies, constitution and operations. In the first place, the Ohanaeze National Executive Committee (NEC), is neither the organ for ratification nor approval. NEC must forward its proposal of action to Imeobi for deliberations and appropriate action. After which, Imeobi will present its position before the General Assembly, which is the apex authority in Ohanaeze, for ratification as it deems fit. The resulting resolution is then released to the media as Ohanaeze communiqué emanating from a General Assembly meeting as the supreme organ of Ohanaeze. This communique goes out as the position of Ndiigbo.
Prof Obiozor failed in his actions and violated the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo by not promptly convening an Imeobi meeting to deliberate on the proposed committee.
At the last GIL General Meeting, a resolution was taken as follows:
- Following the lapse of 28th of February 2022 deadline GIL set for Prof George Obiozor to convene a meeting of statutory members of Imeobi to receive and deliberate on the Report by the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, GIL will henceforth work in consonance with Ndiigbo to designate and accord Prof. Obiozor the status of President General of a faction of Ohanaeze Ndiigbo
- GIL therefore urges the Chairman of CIM to convene a meeting of Statutory Imeobi members. Since the constitution is being violated, the Doctrine of Necessity should be invoked to address the current challenge confronting Ohanaeze. This is a one item agendum meeting of Imeobi to receive and deliberate on the Report by Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
- GIL condemns the action of inaugurating the political committee without first allowing the resolution of the crises in Ohanaeze. We are all aware that an all-hands involvement by Ndiigbo will achieve the most beneficial outcome. This action is detrimental to Ndiigbo as it undermines the current efforts aimed at achieving peace and uniting Ndiigbo behind Ohanaeze.
- Following the above action, GIL will henceforth treat Prof Obiozor as a
factional Ohanaeze President General and will neither cooperate nor support any further action by them until a meeting is convened to deliberate on the report by the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops.
GIL is desirous of ensuring that the lingering Ohanaeze crises is resolved before the end of March, 2022 to bring about a renaissance, peace, unity of purpose and progress for Ndiigbo.
Signed:
Christian Onuorah Coordinator, GIL
Global Igbo Leaders (GIL) Members: - Igbo World Assembly (IWA)
- World Igbo Congress (WIC)
- Council of Igbo States America (CISA) 4. European Igbo community (EIC)
- Anioma Redemption Group
- Nkata Ndi Iyom Igbo
- Council of Igbo communities (CIC) UK 8. Igbo Heritage Group
- Hoo! Haa!!
- Gideon Africa Team
- Inter society
CC: - His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, chairman of Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers
- His Royal Highness, Igwe Lawrence chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers
- Prof. George Obiozor
- Most Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Opoko, Secretary, Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and
Bishops on Peace and Conflict Resolution.
