A member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Bayelsa state, Chief Nwankwo Johnpaul is currently nursing his injuries after he was badly beaten when a crisis ensued on Sunday during the monthly executive council meeting of the group.
The crisis is not unconnected with which state of the South East will produce the next Igwe of Bayelsa.
Speaking with StatePress in Yenagoa on Sunday, Chief Nwankwo Johnpaul narrated that shortly after the commencement of the monthly meeting, the factional president Mazi Onuma Johnson raised an issue that an aspirant for the Igwe contest reported him to the DSS.
This however did not go down well with Chief Johnpaul as he wondered why the issue was brought to the floor of meeting, querying if any petition had been filed against the president in the DSS.
He was however attacked by some other members in the meeting loyal to the president for requesting to know if any petition was filed against the president.
He was left with bruises all over his body that later landed him in the hospital.
According to Chief Johnpaul, the case against the factional Bayelsa president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has to do with issuance of fake WAEC certificate to someone.
He also alleged that the president’s preferred candidate for the office of the Igwe of Bayelsa is not qualified as he has not been a member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for two years as the constitution states.
According to him, Ohanaeze constitution was also violated with the takeover of the Bayelsa factional presidency by Mazi Onuma Johnson as a sitting commissioner of the state. As no president is allowed to occupy any political position concurrently.
Chief Johnpaul also wondered why Mazi Johnson will allocate all positions meant for Ndigbo in Bayelsa to those from Abia, same state with him.
“Abia State is holding the office of the president, women leader, youth leader and now he wants to install another Abia person as the Igwe, a candidate who is not even eligible.
“If he had even supported a candidate known by Igbos in Bayelsa, we would have all supported him, so that he can contest with Chief Ozuome from Enugu so that anyone who wins will be installed”, he said.
Chief Johnpaul who is recuperating in the hospital is in a stable condition.
