By Ani Bassey Calabar
Crisis over the soul of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Cross River State has divided the state chapter of the organisation as two sides are claiming leadership of the body.

The crisis which has been building up over time came to a head  following a meeting at the Obi Eze Ndigbo where an interim leadership emerged for the body.

The interim leadership has Prince Agwu Nwokedi (SSA to Governor Ayade  on Ethics & Norms) as Interim Chairman while Barr. Remi Agwuezie emerged as secretary.

In an 8 point  communique issued at the end of the meeting, the group pledged their  total, unalloyed support and allegiance to the new Caretaker Committee under the leadership of Prince Agwu Nwokedi.

It wished the new leadership hitch free activities in its singular task to usher in a Substantive Executive through credible election which comes up on 8th May, 2021.

The communique also restrained the erstwhile leadership of the body to desist from issuing statements and malicious publications about the body.

However Ugoji nwabueze, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ayade on Non Indigene Affairs (Igbo) has kicked against the purported meeting and dissolution maintaining that any meeting called and not authorised by him to the extent of not having his approval is illegal null and void.

According to him “the  Constitution has no provision for Interim nor Care taker Committee so any one or persons parading themselves as such remains a product of illegality.

“The said meeting of 20th having not been authorised by me cannot be a proper meeting of Ohanaeze and so any decision emanating there to is null and void.

“To say a meeting of Ndi Igbo drawn from 18 Local Government Areas took place in the private home of an individual speaks volumes of the character of the laughable characters of the conveners some already in their later  70s.

“They risked arrest by security agents if the meeting took place in open and formal arena for the expected large crowd of almost 200.

“Ohanaeze State meetings has never and can not hold in the private home of a deluded self acclaimed chief”, he said.

Ohaneze urges youths to desist from violence, hate speech

He advised the Igbo in Cross River State are advised once more to pursue their legitimate duties and stay away unapproved organisations capable of creating breach of public peace.

The Security agents have been notified already to treat such persons as enemies of the state.