Ohanaeze Ndigbo Urges Ndigbo To Desist From Campaign Of Calumny
By Alex Odeh, Pan Afric Reporters
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has sounded a stern warning to individuals of Igbo extraction to desist from peddling campaign of calumny against Igbo leaders, describing such act of aspersion casting as not only unnecessary, but regrettable .
The Igbo body convey this through a press statement issued on Saturday and signed by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Chief Thomson Ohia, Deputy President General and National Spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, respectively.
Ohanaeze particularly appealed to Mrs. Stella Okengwu, CEO of WinHomes Global Services Limited to exercise caution and adopt proper engagement concerning her grievances with the construction of the Lagos-Calabar Super Highway.
The statement reads in part, “Issues concerning Ndigbo should be addressed within the community, using established internal mechanisms for fair and just resolution”, the statement said.
The body further expressed readiness to mediate in the matter and said, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands ready to mediate and ensure that any grievances are handled equitably, without the need for public airing that could inadvertently provide ammunition for political adversaries to undermine the progress being made by Senator Umahi and the entire Igbo nation.
“It is, therefore, unwise and counterproductive for any individual, including Mrs. Okengwu, to allow personal grievances to be weaponized by opposition forces seeking to undermine the achievements of one of the most effective Igbo leaders in the current administration.
“The unnecessary distractions caused by these actions only serve to jeopardize the continued infrastructural development and the collective future of the Southeast.
It concluded by saying that the right of every Igbo sons and daughters must be protected.
“In conclusion, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stresses that the protection of the rights and dignity of Igbo sons and daughters remains the paramount priority of the organization.
“ We will not stand idly by while any attempt is made to discredit our leaders. We call on all Igbos to refrain from casting aspersions and participating in baseless campaigns of calumny against Senator Umahi.
“ If there are any disputes, they should be brought to Ohanaeze for resolution, not aired on social media or manipulated for political purposes”
“We reiterate that the time for division and internal strife is over. Igbos must unite in the face of external challenges and support those who work diligently for the advancement of our region and people”, they admonished.
