Umunnachi reacts..

A must read disclaimer from the desk of Umunnachi President General.

Enjoy the below disclaimer.

 Yesterday in the afternoon, I was alerted of the publication of a very disturbing article in an online media, Nairaland Forum, about the Igweship contest of Umunnachi titled COMMUNITY PASSES A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE ON GOV'S CHIEF PROTOCOL OFFICER. This publication was purportedly made by the Umuezeajana family of Umunnachi.

The publication in essence portrays Umunnachi as a community now in crisis following the "messy" Igweship tussle. The publication portrays the Chief Protocol Officer to His Excellency Gov Willie Obiano, Hon Uzuegbuna Okagbue, as being behind the crisis, being hellbent on imposing his alleged candidate Igwebuike Anochie as the Igwe Nnachi 2 who is described in the publication as "an ex convict" and  "common criminal". The publication further accuses Hon Uzuegbuna Okagbue of imposing his wish on the Igweship contest on the Umunnachi Improvement and other institutions in the town.

It is worthy of note that we have not received any document certifying Chief Igwebuike Anochie as "an ex convict" or any evidence establishing him as a ''common criminal", or any notice, information or communication to that effect to guide us properly in his screening process.

Furthermore, after reading this article yesterday, I immediately contacted the Ichie of the Umuezeajana family, Chief Emeka Anekwe (Ichie Ezeani) and another chieftain of the Umuezeajana family, Chief Cletus Omuta (who also is the current chairman of Nzeoba Ojiana of Umunnachi). Both of them quickly disclaimed and condemned the publication in the strongest of terms, stating categorically that the publication did not emanate from the Umuezeajana family. Both shuddered and expressed shock at the publication. Shortly afterwards, I was also in touch with the Traditional Head of the Umuezeajana family and Chief Priest of Ana Nnachi Chief Ozoekwe Nweze (who is also presently the oldest member of the Umuezeajana family). I was also in touch with the Secretary of the Umuezeajana family Mr Patrick Ezeukwu. They both categorically condemned the publication and disclaimed it.

Early this morning, I also spoke with the chairman of the Umuezeajana family, Mr Raphael Anekwe and he expressed shock and bewilderment over the write-up while also disclaiming the article.

Since this publication, I have also been in constant communication with the Chief Protocol Officer to the Governor, Hon Uzuegbuna Okagbue , a worthy son of ours and a great benefactor with whom we are well pleased. I have also been in constant communication with our brother Hon Chuks Azotani, the SA to the Governor on Domestic Matters, who incidentally is  nwadiana of the Umuezeajana family. We have all together vowed to get to root of this obnoxious publication and fish our the people behind it

May I first and foremost condemn this publication in the strongest possible term. It is reprehensible, distasteful and repulsive. No doubt it is the predictable product of mischief makers and fifth columnists who have embarked on a futile and forlorn mission to cause rancour and disaffection in the town and possibly disrupt the Igweship selection/election process. Our town Umunnachi has been a very peaceful one even up to this moment and will continue to be after this process. No amount of devilish  contrivance, blackmail or intimidation  can disrupt the peace in the town, much less the on-going selection process of the Igwe Nnachi 2.

Neither our brother Hon Uzuegbuna Okagbue nor anyone else has tried to or can impose his will or choice of candidate on the Umunnachi Improvement Union. The activities of the Umunnachi Improvement Union on the selection/election process have strictly been guided by the Constitution of Umunnachi and Igweship Instrument and therefore cannot be subjected to the  whims and caprices of any individual. Most importantly we have been open and transparent in the exercise. This publication therefore is a cheap blackmail that is dead on arrival

To this end, we can happily inform you that we are gradually coming to the summit of the Roadmap we designed for the selection/election ofNnachi 2 based on our Constitution and Igweship Instrument which we have meticulously been implementing. May I also inform our people  that as earlier announced, the screening of the Igweship candidates by the UIU will commence today and is expected to be concluded by next weekend.

May I also use this opportunity to commend Mgbuke village for their last ditch efforts at securing a consensus candidate as a way of avoiding the inevitability of the ballot box which will definitely ensue after the screening exercise.  We wish them the best of luck in this noble venture.

The Igweship of Umunnachi is not a do or die affair. It is for the people of Mgbuke village and Mgbuke village alone to select/elect the Igwe Nnachi 2 and this time under the guidance or supervision of the UIU and nothing other than that will happen, otherwise we will run foul of the clear provisions of the Umunnachi Constitution and Igweship Instrument.

The town has been in peace since the departure of the Igwe Nnachi 1, HRH Igwe FEOU Onochie, whom we have duly conducted his burial and last ofala rites successfully. We are now in the process of finding his successor. We have so far stubbornly followed the Umunnachi Constitution and Igweship Instrument regulating the selection/election process and have stoutly resisted and rebuffed all diversionary and distracting machinations.

Be God's grace, within the shortest possible time Igwe Nnachi 2 will emerge

Long live my good people of Umunnachi.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Barr Ike Odionu
(President-General, Umunnachi Improvement Union)