Prof Nwala no longer ADF president – Abia Onyeike
Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Congress of Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), a pan-Igbo development and civilisation group, said it has suspended eleven of its former officers for engaging in subversive conducts aimed at undermining and destroying the foundation.
But in a swift reaction, the newly elected secretary of the group, Mr Abia Onyeike countered that Professor Uzodinma Nwala was no longer the president as ADF had elected a new president.
Addressing a press conference in Enugu on Wednesday, the Chairman of ADF Congress, Prof Uzodinma Nwala, said the suspended members are given two weeks to appear before the Disciplinary Committee of the ADF Congress.
Nwala noted that “failure to do so and/or if found guilty of the offences for which they are being charged, they are liable for expulsion from the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF).”
The former officers suspended include: Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, a former Chairman of ADF Business Committee; Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, former Treasurer of the ADF and Bishop Obi Udezue Onubogu, former Chairman of the ADF BOT.
Others are: Dr J. C. Chukwuokolo, former Chairman of the Enugu Chapter of ADF; Mr Max Ozoaka, former member of the ADF Legal Bureau and Mr Abia Onyeike, former Acting Secretary of ADF among others.
Nwala also stated that the former members were suspended by conducting election meant to seize the leadership of the ADF.
According to him, they were suspended for their refusal to respect the intervention and advice of some of the Elders of the ADF who had advised that Election into the Offices of the ADF should be held on April 11, 2024.
He said: “The day they carried out this sham selection at Enugu was the day the President of ADF, Emeritus Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, was hosting guests including several ADF leaders at his home in Imo State in honour of his beloved daughter’s traditional marriage.
“The Elders of ADF had ruled against any election on this date in order to show respect to Prof Nwala, who had meritoriously led the ADF for ten years, as well as served the Nigerian State and Igbo nation in worthy roles and initiatives most of his life.
“The Elders had proposed the election to be held on April 11, 2024. But these men in their bid to satisfy their personal interests and those of their sponsors will not respect any limit because they believe that Nigeria is a lawless country.”
According to him, the suspended members refused to abide by the authority of the ADF Council and setting up an illegal Election Committee without the Authority of the Council of the ADF whose constitutional right it is to organise election.
Speaking to Ikengaonline on Thursday, the newly elected general secretary of Alaigbo Development Foundation, Abia Onyeike, said Professor Nwala wants to destroy whatever legacy he has by his latest mischievous action with ADF.
“Prof. Nwala has decided to dance naked in the market place at the age of 83. He wants to destroy whatever legacy he had. He is no longer the ADF President. He wanted to remain in office for life but all the prominent members of the organization came together to organize the election of 6th April, 2024. Nwala had spent 10 years in office as ADF President. What else was he looking for.
“To say he has suspended the Chairman and members of the Board of Trustees is a very desperate action on his part. He was indicted by the report of the Conflict Resolution Committee for financial misappropriation, corruption and running ADF as a Sole Administrator. What he has done is to pre-empt the decision of the ADF to take steps to bring him to book. He thinks he is smart. He will regret his autocratic tendencies.
“As far as we are concerned we have elected a new ADF leadership. Nwala should respect himself and stop insulting his superiors, otherwise he will have himself to blame.”
