Bayelsa Ohanaeze President calls for Governor’s Intervention after commissioner’s alleged assault

October 09, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The acting President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Bayelsa State, Remigius Ekwem, has urged Governor Douye Diri to address an alleged assault by Commissioner for Special Duties, Johnson Onuma, on Chief Johnpaul Nwankwo, Enugu State President of Ohanaeze.

In a statement released on Monday, Ekwem condemned Onuma’s involvement in a physical altercation that left Nwankwo badly injured and hospitalized.

Ekwem emphasized the need for accountability among government officials and called on Governor Diri to intervene promptly to prevent further escalation.

He also addressed internal Ohanaeze Ndigbo Bayelsa matters, stressing the importance of due process in filling vacant positions and warning against imposing candidates.

Ekwem noted that positions could be zoned based on states of origin within the association.

“Abia State already holds the offices of the president, women leader, and youth leader; now Onuma seeks to install another person from Abia as Igwe—someone who has not 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.

Onuma’s actions were described as an embarrassment to the Bayelsa state government, prompting Ekwem’s urgent call for gubernatorial intervention.