Igbo World Assembly (IWA), an umbrella organisation of Ndigbo, has accused two frontline members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chiefs Mbazulike Ameachi and Ralph Obiora of merchandizing Ndigbo for personal gains.

The group said the duo lied, manipulated and deceived the general public with misinformation about Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

IWA is Ndigbo Umbrella body that represents the Apex National Organizations in the various countries in the world that includes USA, UK, France, Spain, Finland, Italy, Netherland, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, South Africa, Ghana, Mali, China and UAE amongst other nations.

It works very closely and recognises Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the mouthpiece of Ndigbo Worldwide.

It would be recalled that Mbazulike and Obioha were recently accused of engineering crisis in Ohanaeze Ndigbo over the issue of who to endorse for the 2015 presidential polls. The duo favour APC presidential flag bearer, General muhammadu Buhari while Ohanaeze prefers Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, PDP presidential flag bearer.

The two men claim to have formed a caretaker committee to run Ohanaeze while its President-General, Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey, still has two years to serve out his tenure.

A statement signed by Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, (U.S.A) and Chief Oliver Nwankwor (Netherlands) IWA’s Chairman and Secretary General, stated that, “it was very unfortunate that Chief Amaechi enjoys dancing naked in the public market square. A man once highly respected by Ndigbo and adored among the Igbo leaders for being an activist of Zikist Movement and the ‘last politician in that era still standing’ has taken a turn for the worst”.

The statement reads: “Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is now a confusionist and a self-proclaimed destroyer of Ohanaeze Ndigbo a man who wants to impose his secret agenda on Ndigbo especially on our revered Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Chief Amaechi, you cannot rubbish the struggle for Igbo survival that you helped to shape all your life for personal and selfish agenda now.”

It noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is neither a personal property nor meant for politics and will never be, adding that is the Igbo World Assembly (IWA)’s commitment to Ndigbo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the mouthpiece for Ndigbo Worldwide, irrespective of the leadership at any time. It advised Chief Amaechi to desist from destroying the house he participated in building.

“Recall that Igbo World Assembly (IWA) in December 2014 had a frank and critical discussion with you (Chief Amechi), and it was agreed that all the issues you presented should be shelved until April 2015 and the Diaspora Igbo leaders will in the meantime set up a Diaspora Reparation Committee to work with you to actualize the goal of the Reparation Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of which you (Chief Amaechi) was officially appointed the Chairman and not Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Elders Council.

“Unfortunately, you (Chief Amaechi) reneged on the same agreement you made with IWA. Igbo World Assembly (IWA) and Ndigbo are deeply disappointed by your dishonesty and lack of candor as a traditional title holder at the age of 86 years. Chief Mbazulike Amaechi and Chief Ralph Obioha have lied, manipulated and deceived the general public with misinformation about Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” it said.

In line with the development, IWA posits that: “Mbazulike Amaechi and Chief Ralph Obioha are not leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. They do not represent or speak on behalf of the Igbo Nation. Only President General Gary Igariwey and Secretary General can speak and represent Ndigbo worldwide.

“Ndigbo did not elect Mbazulike Amaechi and Chief Ralph Obioha as their aim is to destabilize the Igbo nation for personal financial gains which will not be allowed.

“Chief Mbazulike Amaechi is not the Chairman of Ohanaeze Elders Council as he claims; this is not just a lie but also fraudulent. He cannot arrogate himself position of Ohanaeze President. The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Gary Igariwey is the Chairman of Ohanaeze Elders Council according to the current Ohanaeze constitution. The President General is the Chairman of the Ohanaeze Council of Elders, Ime Obi and General Assembly.

“The tenure of the current Ohanaeze Ndigbo executive is four years and it has only gone half way. The new four year tenure was approved in a documented constitutional amendment for all executives going forward. It is a settled matter.

“Chief Mbazulike Amaechi does not have the right or authority to form a 23-member caretaker committee to run Ohanaeze Ndigbo affairs.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo endorsement of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the Igbo preferred candidate is strongly supported by Igbo World Assembly (IWA). We join the entire Igbo nation in asking Chief Mbazulike Amaechi and his team of confusionists to cease and desist from destroying our Igbo nation.”

•Photo shows Igbos gathering