A sociocultural group within the Oyo state chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo under the aegis of the Igbo Patriots; a body comprising key stakeholders and members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State, has issued a communique expressing serious concerns over the ongoing efforts to conduct an election within the state chapter of the socio-cultural association.
The group, which convened for an emergency meeting on Monday in Ibadan, December 9, 2024, has strongly criticized the actions of Mr. Tallest Nwosu, the Senior Special Assistant on Community Relations to Governor Seyi Makinde, accusing him of undermining the authority and constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The communique, signed by prominent Igbo leaders in the state, outlined several resolutions addressing the controversial election process that has deepened division among the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State.
The Igbo Patriots commended Mr. Nwosu for his efforts to mediate and resolve the internal conflicts within the Oyo State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which has been fractured by factionalism. The group also expressed its full support for these reconciliation initiatives, noting that they were crucial for the cohesion and unity of the Igbo community in the state.
Additionally, the Igbo Patriots praised Governor Seyi Makinde for his support of the Igbo community, acknowledging his appointments of Igbos into key positions in his administration.
This, they argued, demonstrated the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship between the Igbo people and the people of Oyo State.
However, the Igbo Patriots expressed deep concern over Mr. Nwosu’s recent actions regarding the leadership election within the Oyo State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
According to the communique, Mr. Nwosu has been using the office of the Governor to promote the sale of election forms for the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State, in direct violation of the constitution and procedures laid out by the apex body in Enugu.
The group pointed out that Nwosu had advertised the sale of forms for the election under his personal bank account, instead of following the established financial protocols of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which stipulate the use of corporate bank accounts.
This action, the group argued, constituted a clear breach of the norms and regulations governing the organization.
Furthermore, the Igbo Patriots Group stressed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo State is a sub-national entity operating under the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, based in Enugu.
As such, they emphasized, any activities carried out at the state level must be in accordance with the directives and constitution of the national body.
The communique further indicated that the Igbo Patriots has revealed that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has dissociated itself from the planned election in Oyo State.
The National Secretariat in Enugu, in response to a petition from concerned stakeholders, confirmed that it had neither authorized nor was aware of any election being organized by Mr. Nwosu.
The national body has also warned that legal action could be pursued against any individual or group collecting money in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for this unauthorized process.
The communique also highlighted the withdrawal of the Imo State Association in Oyo State from the controversial election, citing concerns over its legitimacy and transparency.
The Igbo Patriots has now called on Mr. Nwosu and other organizers of the election to suspend the process immediately until further consultations are held to ensure that any election conducted is in line with the approval and authorization of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The group reiterated its commitment to reconciliation and unity among the various factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State but insisted that all actions be in strict accordance with the constitution of the national body and will not be party to any action in the contrary.
They warned against any actions taken under the guise of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo State by individuals seeking to advance their own personal or political interests.
The Igbo Patriots further raised alarm over the collection of funds into personal accounts, which they described as a violation of established norms and a potential sign of fraud.
The group cautioned that such actions could have serious legal consequences, urging individuals involved to withdraw from the process to avoid legal liabilities.
The Igbo Patriots however, reaffirmed their commitment to the unity, equity, and justice of the Igbo community in Oyo State while calling for the immediate suspension of the election process.
They advised those involved in the alleged illegitimate election to cease their participation and await further instructions from the National body in Enugu.
The communique was signed by leading figures within the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State, including High Chief Godwin Mba, Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo State Chapter, Engr. Tonye Brown, President of the Igbo Speaking Rivers Association, Dr. Isaac Ogada from Ebonyi State, and several others.
See full Communique below;
COMMUNIQUE RELEASED BY THE IGBO PATRIOTS, OYO STATEON THE STATE OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO, OYO STATE, TODAY 10TH DEC., 2024.
Arising from an emergency meeting of the Igbo Patriots, Oyo state, on Monday, December 9, on the state of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oyo State chapter, the resolutions reached are as follows;
1. The Igbo Patriots Group, a body of critical stakeholders and members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Oyo state chapter, commends the Senior Special Assistant on Community Relation to the Oyo state governor, Mr. Tallest Nwosu, for his reconciliatory efforts in finding a lasting solution to the internal crisis that has factionalized the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo state.
2. That the Igbo Patriots fully aligns with such move and efforts to reposition the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo state and remain committed to ensuring the actualization of a lasting solution to the lingering internal issues.
3. That the Igbo Patriots expresses appreciation to Governor Seyi Makinde for his love and magnanimity towards the Igbo community in Oyo state with the appointments of the Igbos in his government which validates the longstanding mutual affection between the Igbo community and the good people of Oyo state.
4. The Igbo Patriots expresses strong desire and commitment to the sustenance of the the longstanding relationship and to deepen the mutual affection in all facets.
5. The Igbo Patriots wishes to call the attention of the government of Oyo state to an entirely counterproductive move by the SSA Community Relation to Governor Seyi Makinde; Mr Tallest Nwosu, who despite, ongoing reconciliation and consultation process, has set machineries in place for the conduct of election into various office in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oyo state.
6. The Igbo Patriots wishes to state unequivocally that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo state is a sub national entity under the direct leadership and authority of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide with its global Headquarters in Enugu state, Nigeria and as such all activities at the state level are in accordance with the directives and constitution of the apex body.
7. The Igbo Patriots observes that Mr. Tallest Nwosu has gone ahead using the name of the Government of Oyo state to advertise and call on aspirants to procure forms into various offices under Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oyo state chapter thereby, undermining the longstanding relationship the Igbo community has enjoyed with Oyo state.
8. The Igbo Patriots further observes that Mr Tallest Nwosu without regards to the Constitution and laid down guidelines and regulations by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide has also advertised the collection of proceeds from the sale of forms into his personal bank account, contrary to the corporate bank account of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide and that of Oyo state chapter.
9. The Igbo Patriots wishes to bring to public notice particularly the government of Oyo state that while the group remains fully committed to total reconciliation among all the factional groups within the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo state, the group has no connection of any form with the purported election being organized by Mr Tallest Nwosu and as such will not be part of the ongoing illegality that clearly has legal consequences.
10. The Igbo Patriots wishes to reiterate to Mr Tallest Nwosu that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a legal entity duly registered under the Nigerian Constitution with certificate of incorporation and as such, be informed that no individual or group has the right to use such corporate identity for whatever reason under any guise without express approval of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Enugu, as such move will be tantamount to identify theft, fraudulent use of unauthorized identity to perpetrate crime under the Nigerian Constitution.
11. While the Igbo Patriots acknowledges the right to freedom of association as enshrined under the Nigerian Constitution; which may be fueling Mr Tallest Nwosu’s courage, it is strongly advised that Mr Nwosu does so using his own created corporate identity without undermining the powers and authority of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide to which Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oyo state chapter is an affiliate.
12. The Igbo Patriots also wish to inform the public that the Ohanaeze National Headquarters, Enugu, in response to a petition forwarded to the National headquarters in Enugu dated December 1, 2024 has officially dissociated itself from the planned election in Oyo State being championed by Mr. Tallest Nwosu with warnings against subsequent legal action.
13. The Igbo Patriots also wishes to state that the National Secretariat in its response to the petition forwarded to it at the aforementioned date has confirmed that the National body remains unaware of, nor has it approved any such election in Oyo State and warned that any individual collecting money in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in this regard does so at their own risks as the body will not hesitate to take legal action against such individuals or group.
15. The ongoing controversy has seen a major stakeholder, the Imo State Town Development Association in Oyo State, publicly withdraw from the so-called election over concerns bothering on legitimacy, transparency, and the potential for legal consequences. We therefore, call on the organizers, particularly Mr. Tallest Nwosu, SSA to the Governor on Community Relation, to immediately suspend forthwith, the planned election until further consultations are held to ensure that any election conducted is backed and authorized by the apex body of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Enugu.
16. The Igbo Patriots, Oyo State, are not opposed to reconciliation among the various factions of Ndigbo in the state; however, we insist that all processes be conducted in accordance with the Constitution of Ohanaeze Worldwide. We strongly oppose any illegal actions being carried out under the guise of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo State by an individual backed by certain group of persons with entrenched personal interests to advance their political course.
17. We wish to remind all concerned that, according to the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, any chapter that wishes to establish its own constitution must submit a draft for scrutiny and ratification by the National body. It is on record that the Odunukwe Committee adopted the National Constitution during the 2018 Ohanaeze elections in Oyo State, which remains in force today and as such remains the validly recognized process for the conduct and organizing elections.
18. Furthermore, we are alarmed by the collection of funds into personal accounts for the purchase of election forms, an action which raises serious concerns about the intentions of the organizers. This is a clear violation of established norms and a reflection of the illegality underlying the planned election.
19. The Igbo Patriots wishes to state for the sake of emphasis, that Mr Tallest Nwosu; the SSA Community Relation to the Oyo state governor, even though an Igbo man, does not hold any executive office in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo state and therefore, has no right of any form, power, or authority to act or conduct himself beyond the boundary of seeking peace and unity within the sociocultural organization via consultations and stakeholders engagement.
21. The Igbo Patriots also wishes to place on record that Mr Tallest Nwosu is an remains a politician and an a political appointee of the state governor, and as such can not attempt to seek to conduct any election for or on behalf of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at any level of administration without express approval in writing by the apex body in Enugu.
20. The Igbo Patriots reaffirms that any activities undertaken outside the directives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide are null and void. We strongly advise those deceived into supporting this illegal election to withdraw and remain calm until they receive further guidance from the National body in Enugu. We remain committed to the unity, equity, and justice of Ndigbo in Oyo State and call for the immediate suspension of the ongoing election process.
Signed,
1) High chief Godwin Mba- Deputy president of Ohanaeze ndi igbo Oyo state chapter- Enugu state
2) Engr Tonye Brown- President igbo speaking Rivers of Ohanaeze ndi igbo Oyo state chapter- Rivers state.
3) Dr Isaac Ogada- Ebonyi state.
4) Emeka Nwagu, co-opted exco member of Ohanaeze ndi igbo Oyo state chapter and Chief of staff to the president of Ohanaeze ndi igbo Oyo state chapter. ENUGU state.
5) Bar Udo Ofurunna, president of Imo state development association, Oyo state- IMO state
6) Hon Philip Eke, co-opted exco member of Ohanaeze ndi igbo Oyo state chapter- IMO state.
7) Mr John Nnanna- IMO state.
8) Greg Dibosa- Igbo speaking DELTA state.
9) Prof Uche Enweremadu-IMO state.