By CHARLES IWUOHA

The embattled National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Engr Damian Okafor, said his purported suspension was not in accordance with the constitution.

He said the action was carried out by handful of misguided members of National Executive Committee (NEC), describing it as illegal, null and void.

In a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Abakaliki on Monday, Okafor said Ordinarily, he 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.

The statement reads in part: “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 galvanizing Igbo youths worldwide to pursue the collective interests of Ndigbo in the Nigerian federation.

“That my purported suspension was a handiwork of a few NEC members who are opposed to our position that Igbo youths should desist from insulting our leaders, and therefore, they should be disregarded.

“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 more so, 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.”

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