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Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo To Funkekeme: We No Longer Have Confidence In Mike Eze
By Daniel Dafe
Leaders of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo from the three Senatorial Districts in Delta State, today stormed Asaba during a protest to the Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Solomon Funkekeme, saying that they no longer have confidence in Mike Eze, President, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Warri.
An address delivered by the Secretary of the group in Delta Central, Chief Tony Okoro, during the visit, alleged that “Eze is only out to enrich himself.”
According to him, “a meeting held by the organization in Sapele recently deliberated extensively on the bad leadership of Mr. Eze,” adding that “they are greatly disturbed by the increasing disrespect of the entire Igbos in Delta State by him and his cohorts.”
He said: “He claims to be representing all Igbos in Delta State by collecting gifts meant for all of us, but corners it to himself, his cronies and lovers.
“We all made sacrifices to see that the Governor is re-elected with the support of the Chairman of Non-Indigene Association in the state, Chief Joe Ikhena,” saying that Mike Eze boycotted the rally of non-indigenes for Okowa in Asaba prior to the elections on 2019.”
He wondered why Mike cornered the Christmas rice given to Igbo community in the state in 2019, as they appealed to the state government to henceforth deal with them through Chief Joe Ikhena and not Mike Eze.
Speaking further, Okoro said that Ohaeneze Ndi-Igbo in the state will no longer listen to and obey any directives of Mike, as they pledged their continuous support for the Okowa administration.
Furthermore, they called on the Governor of the State to consider appointing members of the group into vital positions in his administration, having contributed to his election victory in 2019 polls just like previous elections.
In his response, Hon. Funkekeme, noted that the grievances from the group shows that there is a leadership crisis in Igbo Community in the state.
He added: “We are already investigating Mr. Eze. It is our desire that there is unity and harmony amongst all our partners.
“We will investigate the allegations and hope that we can come up with a strategy to curtail excesses that are disorganizing the group.”
Funkekeme who promised that at the end of the exercise everyone will be happy, noted that the Igbo Community in the state has contributed immensely to the rise of the state’s GDP.
Some of the groups also represented include Non-Indigenes Association from the three senatorial districts and Igbo Political Union.
The protesters numbering over 50 also had in attendance Eze Titus Ezewuzie, Ohaeneze Ndi-Igbo, Delta Central; Chief Chima Ohale, President, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Delta Central; Chief (Engr.) Kingsley Maduka, President, Igbo Political Union and Chief Nnamdi Uwalaka, Vice-President, Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Ethiope East.