By David Uka, Abakaliki
The embattled National Youth leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide Engr. Damian Okafor has described his purported suspension by some members of NEC of the Youth Wing of the apex Igbo sociocultural organization as illegal, null and void
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide – Youth Wing, had in the communique issued at the end of their meeting in Enugu which was signed by Nazi Chika Art Adiele, the National Publicity Secretary, passed a Vote of No Confidence on Engr. Damian Okafor, and he was consequently suspended indefinitely.”
“That following a properly convened National Executive Committee meeting of the Wing, a Vote of No Confidence was passed on the former leader of the wing, Engr. Damian Okafor, and he was consequently suspended indefinitely as Youth leader.
But, Okafor in a Press statement in Abakaliki described the purported suspension as a handiwork of a few NEC members who are opposed the position that Igbo youths should desist from insulting their leaders, and therefore, should be disregarded.
The statement reads in part: “My attention has been drawn to my purported suspension as the Youth leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide by a handful of misguided members of NEC of the Youth Wing of the apex Igbo sociocultural organization"
"Ordinarily, I would have ignored the said purported suspension which has been circulating on the social media, but in order to put the records straight to avoid misleading the unsuspecting members of the public, I wish to state as follows:
" That I, Engr Damian Okafor, was duly elected as the Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide on August 5, 2021, alongside other Executive members by the general Assembly of the youth wing comprising representatives of youths from the All Igbo speaking states.
"That I have also been duly sworn-in and certificate of return issued to me alongside other NEC members by our parent body of Ohanaeze led by professor George Obiozor on August 20, 2021".
"That since I took over the mantle of leadership, I have always made concerted efforts in liaison with other members of NEC to discharge the statutory mandate of Ohanaeze youth wing in line with the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide".
"That under my leadership which is barely two months, I have been able to add new energy and vigor into gulvernizing Igbo youths worldwide to pursue the collective interests of Ndigbo in the Nigerian federation".
" That these few elements who embarked on this failed mission have no locus in line with the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to convene a meeting of NEC. This is even moreso, when the President general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, had directed them not to hold such kangero and diversionary meeting, they still defied the order"
"That the purported suspension was born out of malice and desperation, as they could not point out in clear terms what my offences are, to warrant such dissident and ridiculous moves against Ohanaeze".
"That we are already aware that these few elements are doing the biddings of their paymasters who are interested in the destabilization of Ndigbo, including the relative peace now being enjoyed in the region, courtesy of the new Ohanaeze leadership".
"While we urge those fermenting trouble within the fold of Ohanaeze Youth Wing to have a rethink, I call on the youths of Ndigbo to be calm as the matter is already being handled by our parent body. And we have full confidence in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide led by professor George Obiozor".
" Finally, I wish to state categorically clear that we still maintain our position that the youths of Ndigbo should refrain from insulting leaders, as it's our tradition to respect our leaders and elders". The statement stated.
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