FENRAD says it is regrettable that the socio-cultural organisation has become political
A group, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), has condemned the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for its call for the introduction of a six-year single tenure into the Nigerian constitution.
The President of the group, Comrade Nelson Nwafor, who made the remarks in a statement made available on Sunday, said it was regrettable that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had turned itself into a political organisation rather than a socio-cultural organisation which advocates for the growth and unity of the Igbos.
According to him, the recent visit by the President-General of the organisation, Amb. Ralph Uwechue, to the House of Representative Constitution Review Committee, advocating for a six-year single term, ?is not acceptable to Ndi Igbo.?
?Ohaneze?s position on the issue is a slap on the face of right thinking Igbos. You can recall that the six-year-single term bill, which was an executive bill, was thrown out by the Senate. Justice Alfa Belgore?s Committee on Constitution amendments also wound up its assignment by rejecting the six-year-single term proposal submitted by the President,? Nwafor said.
?The committee maintained that the country will continue with four-year renewable tenure. So, where is the rationale of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo?s campaign for what the committee and majority of Nigerians rejected? Ohaneze is always blowing hot and cold at the same time and would not talk on occasions when its voice is needed.?
The FENRAD executive also noted that at the heat of the debate on PDP?s zonal arrangement during the 2011 presidential primaries, Ohanaeze was the first southern organisation that openly endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the presidential candidate, stressing that the action was considered hasty and criticised by many stakeholders.
?The group has left its roles to foster peace, unity and prosperity of Ndi Igbo to dabble into politics,? he added.
According to Nwafor, at the heat of the security challenges facing the country, ?the debate for single term is uncalled for, because it will only overheat the polity. It is time for Ohanaeze to begin to address issues of public importance.?
