Ohanaeze, Okowa: Impostors behind N200m debt claims

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has once again raised the alarm about the activities of some unscrupulous elements who are misusing the group’s name.

Ohanaeze spoke in response to a social media statement attributed to one Igboayaka Igboayaka, who claimed that Delta State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa owed Ohanaeze N200 million.

However, in a statement made available to reporters on Friday by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he said such claims were made out of desperation and mischief.

While warning that the Ohanaeze should not be used for such sham and paid jobs, Okwu stated that there was no such thing as N10m monthly dues in Ohanaeze, let alone Okowa owing such dues.

“To clarify, there is nothing like payment of N10m dues by anyone or Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.”

“Contributions and support to Ohanaeze are made as people are led, not as a result of any mandatory levy.”

“It is also worth noting that Governors Ifeanyi Okowa and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State were unquestionably the highest funders of Ohanaeze during the immediate preceding Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership.”

“The records are available for anyone to view, and they have not abandoned the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.” As a result, for someone who is completely unknown in Ohanaeze to wake up and make such claims is puerile.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has always been and continues to be a true Igbo son who we admire. “We will continue to stand by him and identify with him,” Okwu said.

He urged Okowa not to be discouraged by the actions of such attention seekers, emphasizing that “as we approach the 2023 general elections, members of the public should be prepared to see such elements spring up and tarnish people’s image merely because crumbs are thrown their way by desperate politicians.”

Similarly, the spokesman of Ohanaeze, Chief Alex Ogbonna had also described the said Igboayaka as an entity unknown to the apex Igbo group.

He said this in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Thursday.