This was contained in a press statement issued and made available to newsmen by Okafor on Monday in Abakaliki.
Okafor stated that he would have ordinarily, ignored the said purported suspension already circulated on the social media, but called for the briefing in order to put the records straight to avoid misleading the unsuspecting members of the public.
NATIONAL PANEL learnt that Engr. Damian Okafor, was duly elected as the Youth Leader, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on August 5, 2021, alongside other Executive members by the general Assembly of the youth wing comprising representatives of youths from the all Igbo speaking states.
It was gathered that, Okafor had also been duly sworn-in and certificate of return issued to him alongside other NEC members by their parent body of Ohanaeze led by Professor George Obiozor on August 20, 2021.
Okafor equally stated that, since he took over the mantle of leadership, has always made concerted efforts in liaison with other members of NEC to discharge the statutory mandate of Ohanaeze youth wing in line with the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide.
He maintained that under his leadership which was barely two months, and has been able to add new energy and vigor into gulvanizing Igbo youths worldwide to pursue the collective interests of Ndigbo in the Nigerian federation.
The Igbo Youth Leader further described the alleged suspension as a handiwork of insignificant number of NEC members, stressing that the declaration remains illegal, null and void.
"That my purported suspension was a handiwork of a few NEC members who are opposed to our position that Igbo youths should desist from insulting our leaders, and therefore, they should be disregarded.
"That these few elements who embarked on this failed mission have no locus in line with the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to convene a meeting of NEC. This is even moreso, when the President general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, Professor George Obiozor, had directed them not to hold such kangero and diversionary meeting, they still defied the order.
"That the purported suspension was born out of malice and desperation, as they could not point out in clear terms what my offences are, to warrant such dissident and ridiculous moves against Ohanaeze.
"That we are already aware that these few elements are doing the biddings of their paymasters who are interested in the destabilization of Ndigbo, including the relative peace now being enjoyed in the region, courtesy of the new Ohanaeze leadership.
"While we urge those fermenting trouble within the fold of Ohanaeze Youth Wing to have a rethink, I call on the youths of Ndigbo to be calm as the matter is already being handled by our parent body. And we have full confidence in the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide led by professor George Obiozor.
"Finally, I wish to state categorically clear that we still maintain our position that the youths of Ndigbo should refrain from insulting leaders, as it's our tradition to respect our leaders and elders," Okafor said.
