The planned celebration of this year’s Igbo cultural day in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has created a sharp division within the ranks of the socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo, hence the hope of holding the occasion remains a dicey.
Blueprint learnt that the crisis rocking the FCT chapter of Ohaneze has prevented it from hosting the Igbo day for three consecutive years and has led to the removal of the president, Odozi Nwodozi while the deputy president, Onwu Arua, is acting in his stead.
Deputy President, FCT, Ohaneze Onwu Arua, who confirmed the crisis in the organisation told newsmen that the sour state of affairs in the organisation has also deprived it the opportunity of raising funds during such occasions.
He said such funds realised from hosting the annual Igbo day were used in running the body and now the socio-cultural group is indebted and lacks funds to run its affairs.
He also confirmed that the FCT president, Odozi Nwodozi, was suspended and subsequently removed on the basis of his unilateral decisions in dissolving Ime-Obi (Council of Elders) as well as alleged misappropriation of funds and for his lack of accountability.
Despite his purported removal, Arua said Nwodozi still parades himself as the president FCT chapter and has been going about from one Igbo politicians to the other in the guise of preparing for Igbo cultural day in the FCT.
“We have been having crisis within the leadership, it is not something to hide. He (Odozi Nwodozi) was removed as the president, he has no powers. We have not had Igbo day in the last 3 years. It’s because of the same problem.
“Nwodozi was suspended 2011, suspended again 2012 and he was not recalled until 2016 when Igbo 1 (Eze Ibeh Nwosu) went bring him to come and lead Ohaneze.”
He stated that while he (Nwodozi) has the backing of few people to mark this year’s Igbo day, some others have vehemently kicked against it saying he does not have the locus standi to put the occasion together.
The Deputy President, Barrister Arua, said he and other vice presidents of the group issued a counter memo addressed to the presidents of Igbo communities in FCT and notable politicians in the zone urging them to stay away from the programme being planned by Nwodozi.
Part of the letter read: “We wish to enjoin all members of the Igbo community in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to stay away from this illegal assembly. Please be informed that Mr Nwodozi has no locus standi to hold or organise any gathering in the name of Ohaneze FCT.
“Take further notice that his illegal activities are issues pending in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, for which Mr Nwodozi has been duly served.
“We further advise that you should not do anything that will bring about contempt proceedings in the court of justice, as a result thereof.”
Arua and his camp have also copied letters to prominent Igbo politicians enjoining them not to avail Nwaodozi of any financial contribution to host the occasion.
When Nwodozi was contacted on phone, he said there was no issue in Ohaneze and that he is still firmly in control as president.
