A simmering battle is raging in Ohanaeze, the apex Igbo socio-
cultural organization. Behind the crisis which is taking different
turns with each passing day is the February 14 presidential elections,
and who between incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples
Democratic Party, PDP, and the candidate of the All Progressives
Congress, APC General Muhammadu Buhari, the organization will back.
Although most affiliates and elders of the organization are disposed
towards a second term for Jonathan, there are pockets of resistance
within, which at the moment is trying the very soul of the 35 year-old
body. To diffuse the tension generated, a new force has emerged seeking
to pave a neutral path. The new group,
Sunday Sun learnt is
neither for Jonathan nor for Buhari. It only wants Ohanaeze to just
remain a mere “socio-cultural organization without the capacity and
hunger for political endorsements.” Interestingly, most of the
‘warriors’ in the current face-off are playing a cat and mouse game,
refusing to openly identify with their desires. So much is the tension
and suspicion within the Igbo umbrella body that moves have been on to
sack the Igariwey-led executive and replace it with a caretaker
committee led by Chief Ralph Obioha. The elders committee led by the
first republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi cited
constitutional breaches on tenure limits to justify their action. The
move to sack the executive has, however, met stiff resistance with a
high level official of the presidency and two serving governors
intervening.
On the heels of the disagreement, a bomb explosion rocked the
secretariat on Thursday, last week, fuelling suspicion of desperation
and degeneration of the crisis. It came a few days when some leaders of
the organization met with President Jonathan on January 14. The meeting
was to pave the way for a formal adoption of the president in the
election. The president at the meeting had reassured Ohanaeze of more
infrastructural presence in the south east and more high profile
appointments. He said among other things that; ”since I came to Abuja , I
have always seen the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,
SGF as the prime minister….”
After the meeting, brushing aside some puny opposition to the
adoption of Jonathan as its candidate, the enlarged body went ahead with
clear indications on who they will back.
The president of Njiko Igbo, an affiliate of Ohanaeze, Rev Okechukwu Obioha told
Sunday Sun that
supporters of Buhari within the organization are causing trouble, and
creating divisions. Obioha, whose organization is rooting for Jonathan
said ‘when they speak at our meetings, it is easy to know where their
sympathies lie. In fact, a leading member of Ohanaeze has told me not
to call him again because of this. The day Buhari was coming to
campaign at Okpara Square, there were vehicles every where waiting for
Buhari’.Former Anambra State governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife corroborated
him saying that Jonathan and Buhari have been sending people to Ohanaeze
meetings.
The struggle for the control of Ohanaze has equally pitted the Imo
State governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, who is of the All
Progressives Congress ,against his colleagues. Indeed it was alleged
that his involvement has transcended mere passing interests to
financial mobilization. ‘Some people are after the money that the Imo
State governor and the authorities in Saudi Arabia are bringing through
Buhari.’ Ezeife stated. Also alluding to the fact that the crisis in
Ohanaeze revolves around money, the Igbo Youths Movement, an affiliate
of Ohanaeze recently warned that they will swing support to any of the
gladiators that recognizes and engages them. The caretaker committee
that was set up in the wake of the purported dissolution of the
executive similarly gave indications that they will work with any of the
candidates that is ready to demonstrate in concrete terms that they
will ‘ do something for the Igbo if they get elected’
Obioha, who is not happy with developments in the much respected
organization has canvassed the stoppage of hostilities. He said, “I do
not know why the problems are coming now, just a few weeks to the
election. I support the move that everything should be put on hold
until March, after the elections. That way there will be peace in
Ohanaeze, and we can go into the elections in peace and understanding,
avoiding the current impasse. What is happening is a shame to the Igbo
race. They are creating the wrong impressions to the outside world. I
hope, it won’t be too late to beat a retreat. The people who are trying
to tear apart Ohanaeze and its affiliates are selfish, and are not
bothered about the implications of their actions. Those of us who
support Jonathan are having a tough time at meetings. The image of the
organization is dimming, and something must be done before it is too
late.’ He informed that he was in the process of writing leading and
respected Igbo leaders for their intervention. Elaborating further, he
said, “Everybody is struggling to see who will negotiate with the
president. There is no more trust at all. We need to return Ohanaeze to
what it was before. And we need to decentralize it and take it to the
grassroots. For now, it is up there.”
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