The youth wing of apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has again raised the alarm over the activities of some unscrupulous elements who are using the name of the group for mischievous purposes.
Ohanaeze spoke in reaction to a statement being circulated on social media attributed to one Igboayaka Igboayaka who claimed that the Delta State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Vice Presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa was owing Ohanaeze N200m.
However, in a statement made available on Friday by the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, he said it was desperation and mischief taken too far for anyone to make such claims.
While warning that the Ohanaeze should not be used for such spurious and paid jobs, Okwu said there was nothing like N10m monthly dues in Ohanaeze, let alone Okowa owing accumulation of such dues.
“To set the records straight, 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 and not by any compulsory levy.
“It is also apt to state here that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State are unarguably the highest funders of Ohanaeze during the immediate past Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership.
“The records are there for anyone to see and till date, they have not abandoned the Ohanaeze Ndigbo. It is, therefore, puerile for someone who is completely unknown in Ohanaeze to wake up and make such claims.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has always been and remains a true Igbo son with whom we are well pleased. We shall also continue to support and identify with him,” Okwu said.
He urged Okowa not be dampened by the activities of such attention seekers, stressing that “as we approach the 2023 general elections, the members of the public should be prepared to see such elements spring up and tarnish people’s image merely because of crumbs being 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.