By Adadareporters
Mr Okechukwu Isiguzo, who parades as secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo despite a court order, is among the four Igbo sons to be sanctioned for anti-Igbo activities.
Ohanaeze NdÃgbo Worldwide, Wednesday, resolved this after its National Executive Council meeting held in Enugu. Aside Isiguzo, Profs Obasi Igwe, Tony Nwaezeigwe and Dr Harford Ùgwù will also face the wrath of the pan-Igbo group for defamation to mislead the public.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, president general of Ohanaeze, stated this while addressing newsmen after the NEC meeting. Their names, offences and recommended penalties will be sent to Ime Obi, which is Ohanaeze’s highest decision-making body for ratifications, Chief Iwuanyanwu said.
Our correspondent reports that Isiguzo began to impose as the Ohanaeze scribe during the existence of an Ohanaeze faction led by one Chief Ibeh. Ibeh had reportedly pledged his loyalty to the mainstream Ohanaeze led by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Chief Iwuanyanwu lamented the negative impacts Isiguzo is creating in Igbo land.
He said, “Former President General of Ohanaeze, Prof George Obiozor, went to court and got an injunction restraining Isiguzo from parading himself as Ohanaeze Secretary General. In the first place, Isiguzo never participated in the election to qualify him to claim such. It is on record that efforts to serve Isiguzo the court restraining paper never succeeded because he is always hiding.”
He regretted that Isiguzo had converted his anti-Igbo activities to money making ventures, and expressed surprise that members of the press still report activities of Isizugo despite the evidence of his being an impostor.
He said efforts of Ohanaeze towards Igbo rebirth were being thwarted by Isiguzo and his cohorts, adding that such frustration led to the death of former Ohanaeze PG, Prof George Obiozor.
He attributed Isiguzo’s anti-Igbo activities to joblessness. He recalled that Isiguzo came to him seeking N50m grant to treat his undisclosed ailment. Chief Iwuanyanwu however said he would forgive him if he turned a new leaf.
According to him, “I’m the father of all, and he remains my son. But I feel so sad that I will be confronted by threats. I’m engufled in a mess with Isiguzo. However, I am determined to serve NdÃgbo, which I did during the war and in my business.”
On their part, Dr Harford Ugwu authored and circulated a fake voice alleging that Ohanaeze had during its last retreat in Enugu resolved to seek the forgiveness of the Fulani race following the killing of Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa during Nigeria’s first military coup spearheaded by majors Ademola Ademoyega, Emmanuel Ifeajuna and Kaduna Nzeogwu. The coup of Jan 15, 1966 is tagged “Igbo coup” by some anti-Igbo propagandists. Ugwu had recorded his conversation with Obasi Igwe, a professor, and both allegedly agreed to make it viral.
Chief Iwuanyanwu said, “Harford Ùgwù and Prof Obasi Igwe circulated fake voice notes against me. I fought the war, and have always made it clear that the coup was a military affair, and never an Igbo coup. It also failed because an Igbo General, Aguiyi Ironsi, intervened. Our people were slaughtered in the North. Why should I beg the Fulani? Nigeria should beg NdÃgbo rather. Harford Ugwu had apologized, but others are still abusing me. But it was a harvest of people who wanted to attack me. Such matter was never discussed during the retreat in Enugu.”
Tony Nwaezeigwe, a professor, had alleged that Chief Iwuanyanwu got N100bn bribe to facilitate the apology, Iwuanyanwu said, “I didn’t take N100bn as they claimed. I wonder how people would believe such. I’m interested in honour, and not money.”
He warned of the consequences of the manner Igbo leaders are being run down by the likes of Isiguzo, Obasigwe, Ùgwù and Nwaezeigwe. He recalled the bombing of the country home of former President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, as well as that of the late Prof George Obiozor, also former Ohanaeze PG.
The Ohanaeze NEC, during the meeting, mandated Chief Iwuanyanwu to forward the names of Isizugo, Ùgwù, Obasi Igwe and Nwaezeigwe to Imeobi Ohanaeze for disciplinary action, including their possible ostracization.
