Ohanaeze youths declare Ogbonnia ‘persona non grata’, insist on Okpalaezeukwu’s leadership

 The youth wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared the expelled National President of the group, Amb Okey Emuchay a “persona non grata” just as it passed a vote of confidence on Mazi Chukwuma

Okpalaezeukwu the acting National President of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youths for his leadership prowess.

In a communique issued after an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Ohanaeze Youths held at the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu, the Igbo youths faulted the statement credited to the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia that Mazi Okpalaezeukwu was no longer the Acting President of the youth wing of the apex umbrella of Igbo socio-cultural associations.

The communique was signed by its acting national leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, and 22 others.

The Ohanaeze Youths insisted that Okpalaezeukwu remains the acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as unanimously elected by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the youth wing.

The communique read: “Our attention has been drawn to the Press Statement making round, signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo- Dr. Alex Ogbonnia where he purportedly declared our Leader- Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu and by extension the entire Igbo Youth a “Persona Non Grata”, and Impostors.

“Due to the unfortunate demise of our Leader and Father- late Chief Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, we would rather not respond to this baseless disclaimer as unilaterally directed and executed by one self acclaimed Amb. Okey Emuchay and overzealous Publicity Secretary, respectively.

“But to set the records straight, for the benefit and clarity of the reading Public, we thus deem it necessary to grant this press release.

“Following an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide held in Enugu, we hereby issue the following Communique.

“That Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu remains the Ag. National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, as unanimously elected by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing, ratified and confirmed by both the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by President General, and Ime Obi Ohanaeze Ndigbo (the Highest Decision Making Body as recognised by the Constitution); and this Authority subsists until an elected Youth Leader of Ebonyi State Extraction emerges.

“We therefore pass a vote of Confidence on our indefatigable Ag. National Youth Leader – Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu; and hereby reaffirm our implicit Solidarity and Support.

“We bemoan the reckless statement of a supposedly Elder in the person of Mazi Alex Ogbonnia, who ordinarily should reign in on Okey Emuchay, to accord our dearest departed father and Hero a befitting honour and reverence, before the tussle of usurping and exercising the Powers of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“Emuchay in this instance, is in a frolic of his own, chasing personal vendetta. The NEC never met to take any of the alleged decisions in his write up. In fact, Alex was not present in the quoted meeting as he was said to have traveled to America and it is from there that he writing based on hear say.

“The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo lacks the Powers to remove and/or replace any executive officer; therefore Emuchay”s attempt to unilaterally remove the acting National Youth Leader- Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, after collecting millions from his Pay Masters to dance naked in the market place, violated the Ohanaeze Constitution and must be checked.

“We hereby declare Okey Emuchay Persona non grata, and therefore Bar him from entering the National Secretariat of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, henceforth.

“We most profoundly Commend the resilience and unwavering solidarity of Igbo Youths towards our passionate plea to stay out of the ongoing Nationwide Protest.

“Indeed, this is a critical and challenging times for Ndigbo; ranging from Grief over the demise of our loved ones, undue detention of Igbo Youths, unlawful and malicious demolition and destruction of Our Property and Investments, absence of Federal Infrastructure and other forms of neglect that has denied us sense of belonging in Nigeria; that notwithstanding , we cannot join a protest we don’t know the convener nor the interest.”