Imeobi is conceived as a kind of Senate of Ohaneze. Constituted of notables…those Igbo who have served Ọhaigbo well, over time, within the framework of ỌHANEZE and are known as such.
That is why not every member of the Ọhaneze executive is a member of Imeobi Ohaneze. Under the Presidency of Ralph Uwaechue, the PDP and Jonathan Presidency, facilitated by one Akachukwu Nwankpọ, siezed Ọhaneze. Documented millions of dollars and billions of Naira changed hands… Shared by ‘Stakeholders’. Ohaneze had so much money they founded ‘IKENGA TRAMSPORT, which has gone with the wind. This, effectively, made Ọhaneze a business agency of Political Attack-traders in Igboland.
This control of Ọhaneze by PDP ‘Stakeholders’ continued under the Presidency of Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igaraiwey. The PDP control of Ọhaeze was challenged during Nnia Nwodo by APC Federal Government, through APC Governors and other political loyalists in Igboland. These APC sympathisers, unfortunately, included Ọhaneze Secretary General, Uche Okwukwu, who ignored my advice. The stress of the APC pressures led to the fragmentation of Ọhaneze during the 2015 presidential campaign. The PDP faction under, under Nnia Nwodo, worked for Jonathan. A faction under Secretary-General Uche Okwukwu worked for Buhari. The rest is history.
It is noteworthy, therefore, that the factionalism of Ọhaneze resulted not from any struggle for Igbo interests, but from the political attack-trading by selfish pretenders to Igbo Leadership.
This is how Imeobi membership assumed partisan character. People would now ignore Ọhaneze Constitution and invite their own party loyalists to Imeobi meetings. This would ease decisions to announce ‘Igbo Support’ for some political interests. Nothing more for the Igbos.
Those statutory members of Imeobi who were non-party loyalists were now disinvited to Imeobi. Worse still, under Nnia Nwodo, IMEOBI was CONFLATED with the Policy making OHANEZE GENERAL ASSEMBLY with SUPREME POWER as representative of ỌHAIGBO. They became indistinguishable. That is how advisory Imeobi now plays the role of Ohaneze General Assembly or Congress. Imeobi conducting an election is, by Ohaneze Constitution, ridiculous and illegal.
The conflation of Imeobi and General Assembly and exclusion of nonpatisans is why, and how, I, Chidi G Osuagwu; Imo State Chairman of Ọhaneze 2007-2009, got being disinvited to Imeobi meetings. I, who was at the core of those who organised the biggest event ever by Ọhaneze. That is the celebration of 50th anniversary of THINGS FALL APART in Igboland and TRIUMPHAL HOMECOMING of CHINUA ACHEBE.
To appreciate the magnitude of this event is to appreciate that Ọhaneze-general, under Dr Dozie Ikedife, could not organise it. The Committee they appointed to do so under, Professor Pita Ejiọfor, could not meet till today.
But, I always oppose any form of political attack-trading with Ọhaneze and the consequent degradation of THE GREAT IGBO NATION. ‘You cannot move Ndigbo forward in a Wheelbarrow” has been my constant retort to opportunists who, usually, plead to ‘ Forget the Constitution; forget strategic Igbo interests; forget your observations; invoke flunky ‘doctrine of necessity’, etc, so we can “Move Ndigbo forward!”.
Let posterity know, as Igboland bleeds and Nigeria; by the British modeled on Sudan of Arab control and Bantu enslavement, heads down the Sudan meltdown highway.
At no time did EZIGBO Igbo fail to speak up for the Great Igbo Nation. This evil, childish, era of UGAAZI when Ofeke struts across Igboland shall come to an end. Then shall follow UGANYANWU; the age of enlightenment, when the Great Igbo Spirit will guide and guard the land.
Chidi G Osuagwu
