IGBOZURUOKE MEDIA

The saying that ‘information is power,’ is a truism that can only be ignored when destruction rather than development is the focus. The attitude or what appears to be a chronic nonchalant disposition of the authentic Ohaneze Ndi Igbo led by Sen. John Azuta-Mbata is giving credence to this.

For a long time the organization has remained prostrate due to a sustained covert interferences hatched by treacherous Igbo politicians, their elite counterparts and other degenerated Igbo elements who want to keep the Igbo disunited and weak.

That the acts of these group are evil to Ndi Igbo, is not in doubt, that most of these misdeeds are committed through deliberate and copious dissemination of lies and misinformation through the creation of a purported factional/parallel Ohaneze is equally not in doubt, however, what is in doubt is whether the authentic Ohaneze is still functioning or conscious of this menace; because, only a drunk or debilitating patriarch  keeps snoring while unscrupulous in-laws derisively haul incendiary objects on his thatched roofs.    

On most comments or press releases on critical Igbo affairs, it is Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who always designates himself as deputy president-general of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and his co-traveler, Thompson Ohia, as the spokesperson, now acts as the mouthpiece of that organization despite the fact that they are impostors.

In a recent claim, the pervasive traits of Engr Dave Umahi, former Ebonyi State governor and minister of works, kicked in when he said talks and negotiations are ongoing with the Tinubu administration to free the long-incarcerated IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kalu. The statement which implied that his release would entail forgiveness for an offence he may have committed rather than an acquittal which the courts had consistently ordered. If that becomes the case, his freedom would be subjective with all manner of social and political debit notes that could be catastrophic to his liberty and the Biafra struggle.

Consequently, IPOB, who disputed and condemned the move, went further to blast Umahi as a turncoat who basks in anything that would diminish the Igbo nation for his selfish and ego-seeking nature.

In a quick follow-up, Ohaneze put up a release, correlating what Engr Umahi said and declared that both Ohaneze and Ndi Igbo are in support of the negotiations for Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The acknowledgement further commended Engr. Umahi for engaging to see the release of Nnamdi Kanu on their behalf and pledged the support of Ohaneze and Ndi Igbo in general towards a quick resolve of Kanu’s case under the minister’s supervision.  

However, a closer look at the statement shows that it was the Isiguzoro’s group that made the statement aligning with Umahi and not the authentic Ohaneze chaired by Sen. Mbata. To cause confusion and make their nefarious act look real, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, signed the statement as Deputy President-General, while one Thompson Ohia, signed as Ohaneze’s spokesperson. While most Igbo and others may know Sen. Mbata as the head of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, it may not be the same with Prince Okey Nwadinobi, who is the authentic Deputy President-General of Ohaneze. So anytime Mr Isinguzoro embarks on his act of impersonation, he quickly signs off as the deputy president-general, whose identity only a few, know. Again, the authentic Publicity Secretary is Dr. Ezechi Chukwudi and not one Mr. Thomson Ohia, an impostor and allied of Isinguzoro, who always sign as Ohaneze publicity secretary.

After these announcements however, neither the president-general of Ohaneze nor any authentic member of that organization had came out to condemn the damage the imposters had done and deemed it necessary to counter or put the record straight.

So what is Sen. John Mbata and his colleagues doing, how can they be missing in action, so soon and on critical issue like the one is trending. Is it not curious that the former senator and his colleagues have been found wanting on numerous Igbo issues begging for attention like their predecessors? With the assumption of the current Ohaneze ‘s leadership, Ndi Igbo had thought that with  technocrats like Sen. Mbata as President-General, H.E., Emeka Sibeudu, former deputy governor of Anambra State, as general secretary and a host of other personalities, in Ohaneze, the ugly incidents of misinformation, misrepresentations by the Isigozoro group and other numerous Igbo youths’ group who always claim to belong to Ohaneze and speaking on their behalf would stop. So, why does Ohaneze keep quiet in the face of onslaughts from imposters like these?

As it is, a-day-old child in Igbo land should know that these assaults are the handiwork of enemies of the Igbo, of which most are Igbo politicians, selfish and thoughtless Igbo elites who would join hands with external enemies to incinerate the Igbo nation if possible, as long as their nests are feathered. In the same vein, the tactics is to show Ohaneze a continuously discredited organization that is fragmented; ineffectual that exemplifies the often-totted Igbo disunity and lack of respect among themselves.  

For this reason the sponsors of the Isinguzoro group will always garnish their press releases as coming from or by a factional leader etc., of Ohaneze. The constant presentation of Ohaneze as a factionalized entity is a deliberate act meant to promote a psyche of disdain and mistrust against the organization by Ndi Igbo.

However, since members of the authentic Ohaneze, has chosen a method deaf and dumb as their modus operandi in tackling this menace, let it be known that the organization as a central and paramount Igbo social-cultural structure, requires it’s minders to be the vanguard of the institution’s credibility, Igbo protection and therefore can no longer rest on their oars while things are falling apart. Ohaneze suppose to be an active and virile organization ready to promote its objectives and the security and development of the Igbo nation. Hence, this slothfulness is not helpful and the Igbo are already getting disillusioned and frustrated.

“If the termite has missed its way, the foot prints of the fire ant are there to follow,” as the Igbo saying goes. Minders of Ohaneze should look at how Afenifere and the Arewa group are positioning themselves and promoting growth and cohesiveness of their constituencies. A situation where Ohaneze has become the laughing stock among the organs of the main nationalities of Nigeria is disgusting and unacceptable.

Like in the case that necessitated this article, the Ohaneze’s president-general or his publicity secretary should have come on air or write a disclaimer to debunk the claims of Isiguzoro and his group. The publicity secretary should as a matter of necessity, periodically access media platforms to state Ohaneze’s positions on certain issues. Prominent TV channels are there for either the PG of the publicity secretary to always appear to make disclosures or talk on critical issues that concerns Ndi Igbo or those confronting Nigeria in general.

In today’s world—information is life—the media is the oxygen. Any individual or organization with ambition to survive and succeed cannot fail to embrace the media. Ndi Igbo are ready to assist if the organization gets its acts together and begins to inspire. Genuine supports and appreciations from the patriot Igbo from all walk of life is equally assured if San. Mbata and his colleagues would see reason and make amendments. The claims that the organization may be working behind the scenes to achieve its aims are delusional and no longer fashionable. Ohaneze’s image and their ventures to rescue the Igbo nation—if they are embarking on any—will be in peril if they do not embrace the media.

 Ohaneze must wake up from its slumber and begin to do the needful. Money is not everything in this case. In most cases, a timely statement could go a long way to debunk an erroneous campaign and prevent a misconception. If an Igbo organization like Ohaneze fails to acknowledge its status, its mandate and its potential, the blame would be on its operators f the camps of these mischief makers and Igbo enemies begin to receive more Igbo tithes.  

Boniface Alanwoko