The Oyo state branch of Ohaneze Ndigbo at the weekend called on the state government, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and security agencies to call those trying to cause crisis among members of Igbo community in the state to order.
The Oyo Ohaneze made this call at a press conference jointly addressed by its Chairman, Chief Ndidi Emma Nzeakor; Secretary, Chief Andrew Anieriobi; and the Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state, Eze Alex C. Anozie, over purported election of parallel executives of the Igbo apex group in the state last week Wednesday.
Addressing the press conference, Nzeakor insisted that his group, Igbo Community Development Association (ICDA) was properly affiliated as the Oyo state branch of Ohaneze Ndigbo in year 2000, and has never at any time been put on trial or found guilty of any offence to have warranted been deregistered as a branch.
He expressed surprise that a team of six representatives of Ohaneze who came from Enugu to Oyo state in September 2017, with the claim that they wanted to mediate peace among different factions of Igbo groups in the could go ahead to conduct elections to elect new executives of Ohaneze in the state when there were no vacancies in the positions.
While describing the purported election of new executives as illegal, Nzeakor noted that Article 8 of the Ohaneze constitution states that “in states outside Igboland, there would be only a branch of Ohaneze, while every other Igbo body who wish to belong must register through those state branches of Ohaneze”.
The Oyo Ohaneze Chairman declared that “we are hereby informing the whole world that we Ndigbo under the above mentioned body, who represents the interest of more than 90% of Igbos in Oyo state, are not part of the election held on Wednesday, 5th of September, 2018”.
He added that: ” So, we are still what we are, we appeal to our numerous followers – Igbo town unions, and different associations in Oyo state to please remain calm, as our Great God will fight for us again as usual.
“We are also calling on the Oyo government, the Olubadan and council, and all security agencies whom we have worked with cooperatively for all these years, to please call those people to order, as they continue in their tireless efforts to create crisis in our peaceful Oyo state”.
Also speaking at the press conference, Eze Anozie said they raised the alarm because of the plan by the people to ignite crisis among members of Igbo community in Oyo state.
The Ezendigbo of Ibadan and Oyo state maintained that: “I have been in this position for about 21 years now, and there has never been any crisis. Despite all the provocation, we have continued to maintain peace. All we are demanding is that the right thing must be done in the right way”.
Meanwhile, when contacted, the newly elected factional Chairman of the Oyo Ohaneze, Engr. Ndubuisi Okorie, said he had no comment on the development.
Engr. Okorie, who spoke with newsmen on telephone, said since he was sworn in by the national leadership of Ohaneze, only the national body could respond to issues raised
