Following an alleged attack by Commissioner for Special Duties Johnson Onuma, acting President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Bayelsa State, Remigius Ekwem, has called on Governor Douye Diri to step in.
In a press release issued on Monday, Ekwem denounced Onuma’s participation in a violent confrontation that resulted in Chief Johnpaul Nwankwo, the Ohanaeze President for Enugu State, being “badly injured and hospitalised.”
According to Ekwem, the act was reprehensible and reflected the state’s continuous conflicts among its officials.
To stop the situation from becoming worse and to make sure that his officers are held accountable, he asked the governor to take swift action.
He questioned the rationale for Onuma’s involvement in a debate over the choice of the Bayelsa Igwe Ndigbo, given that Onuma is an Abia native and a commissioner.
He clarified that the seat is “open to contest and will be filled by an elected official,” emphasising the significance of following due procedure.
He did, however, warn that any attempt to force a candidate on the organisation would be greeted with legal challenges.
He mentioned that the post might be allocated depending on the present officials’ states of origin within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Bayelsa.
He described the commissioner’s recent conduct as “an embarrassment to the Bayelsa state government,” and requested the governor to intervene to avert additional ramifications.
“Abia State already has the posts of president, women leader, and youth leader; now Onuma wishes to install another person from Abia as Igwe—someone who hasn’t even spent two years in Ohanaeze and is therefore ineligible to run.
“If he had supported a candidate known to the Igbos in Bayelsa, we would have united behind him for a fair contest against Chief Ozuome from Enugu, ensuring that the winner is duly recognized.
“We call on Governor Douye Diri to rein in his commissioner before more damage is done,” he said.
Ekwem also stated that Nwankwo, who is recuperating in the hospital, is in stable condition.