The core question at the just concluded 12^th World Igbo Congress Convention was whether an ordinary tea party could turn into the spirit of a nation. Going by the humiliation of Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Boston had the chance to be the juncture at which Igbo renaissance took off.

Mr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the publisher of Champion newspapers was last weekend humiliated in Boston, Massachusetts, during the just concluded World Igbo Congress convention. Iwuanyanwu, a regular attendee of the yearly convention was booed by participants on Sunday when he stood up to contribute to the political forum where the issue of Ndigbo and the race for Aso Villa in 2007 was discussed. 

As Iwuanyanwu mounted the podium, Dr. Anosike raised his voice to demand that Iwuanyanwu not address the gathering because he was a traitor to Igbo cause. A section of the audience subsequently rose in support of Anosike and booed Iwuanyanwu. The audience drowned every attempt by Iwuanyanwu to speak. 

For over half an hour, the proceedings came to a halt as officials of the Congress tried to calm those shouting and cursing at Iwuanyanwu as a betrayal of Igbo interest. As the rowdiness continued, security personnel were brought in to quell the audience.

Those protesting and raising make shift placards accused Iwuanyanwu of supporting anti-Igbo causes, rigging 2003 election in Igbo land, and working for the re-election of Obasanjo notwithstanding that he was the chairman of Ohaneze’s political committee assigned to find and support an Igbo candidate for 2003 election. Others accused him of supporting the third term agenda while the Igbo were agitating for a president of Igbo extraction.

Meanwhile Iwuanyanwu stood at the podium with the microphone switched off and continued to make a speech that only those around him at the high table could hear. “I support Peter Odili,” Iwuanyanwu screamed amid the protest that ruffled him and infused anger across his face.

As protesters continued unabated, Iwuanyanwu quipped in anger, “anybody can go to hell.” Then he sat down fuming.

For many participants the incident was the high point of the convention. For so long, the quiet demand for censorship of those within Igbo leadership who work against the interest of the Igbo had been unheeded. Following the appearance of Chris Uba at the New Jersey convention of 2004, where he confessed to rigging election in Anambra state, anger has been building.

Another targeted recipient of the built up anger, Joe Irukwe of Ohaneze, skipped the convention leaving Iwuanyanwu as the prime face of the Igbo who sits at the high table of Igbo gathering everywhere, yet work against Igbo aspirations.

When the political forum reconvened, Chris Ngige, the former governor of Anambra state, attempted to soften the blow to Iwuanyanwu to no avail. Ngige described Iwuanyanwu as someone who copied M.K.O Abiola by establishing a newspaper, an airline and a football team all as a means to the presidency. According to Ngige, it was the same formula that Orji Uzor Kalu is using as he aspires for the presidency.

Every attempt by Ngige to make light of the event and bring smile to the face of Iwuanyanwu or the audience failed. It was apparent to everyone in the hall that the so called “Aha eji eje mba” had become an abominable name.

After the political forum, Iwuanyanwu was not seen anywhere else at the convention. He probably parked his bag and went home. For many participants, they hope he stays home forever and join the likes of Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, Arthur Nzeribe, and Chris Uba in their infamous hall of shame.

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Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo is the author of Children of a Retired God. To order the book, visit Amazon.com, or irokoproductions.com. You can also order Children of A Retired God at any bookstore near you.

Robot  # 1 | 10.09.2006 10:56

Those protesting and raising make shift placards accused Iwuan...Read the full article.

unregister  # 2 | 10.09.2006 11:24

... Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu - Prophet without honour ...!

BiafranPrincess  # 3 | 10.09.2006 13:26

About time we exercised some HOLY ANGER against all these self serving so called leaders. The voice of the people will once again become the thermostat of our value system. I wish the likes of Chris Uba would be given such treatment everywhere in Igbo land. Let the will of the people reign. There is a shift in paradigm going on in Nigeria albeit slowly but we'll surely get there someday if we sustain this tempo. Igbo Kwenu!

Steve  # 4 | 10.09.2006 15:17

Thank you Unregister: Iwuanyawu is indeed a prophet without honor among his people. Hear Rudof as he echoed his people: "Those protesting and raising make shift placards accused Iwuanyanwu of supporting anti-Igbo causes....." This is absolute nonsense! What manner of people are these Igbo? These same people acknowledged ( they can never deny) that the Iwuanyawu they were booing, insulting and accusing for "supporting anti-Igbo causes" did establish a newspaper company, an airline company and even a football club where several Igbo are employed. Go to The Champion newspapers' house and the other businesses set up by Iwuanyawu. How many non-Igbo would you find there? They are largely Igbo employees who are employed today by the grace of Iwuanyawu. This man should be honored and greatly appreciated because he could have joined the rest of the Nigerian money-missed-road carpet-baggers to stash his wealth abroad (to stagnate). Yet, it's the same Iwuanyawu that his people are accusing of "anti-Igbo" activities.....these people are funny creatures!

Abraxas  # 5 | 11.09.2006 03:08

Hi, folks! Just a reminder: Precisely 8 months, 18 days, 3 hours, 52 minutes, and 2 seconds more to go, before 12:00 noon, Tuesday, 29 May 2007! Hip, hip, hip, hurray!! Muchas gracias.

Hamattan  # 6 | 11.09.2006 03:47

According to Steve - These same people acknowledged ( they can never deny) that the Iwuanyawu they were booing, insulting and accusing for "supporting anti-Igbo causes" did establish a newspaper company, an airline company and even a football club where several Igbo are employed. Doing all these things you quated does not give hin the right to go against the general Igbo cause. It did not happen once or twice, it became clear to even a child that he is only concerned about his personal gains, which of course is his right, but for God's sake not by using Igbo issue as a bait. Iwuanyanwu got what he deserved and I hope he and his likes would have learnt their lessons.

Kabikala  # 7 | 11.09.2006 05:09

Iwuanyawu is one of the eveils befalling our nation. He simply does not believe in anything except his stomach. He was there during IBB's era as one of the earliest supporters of the annulment. In Abacha's time, he was there supporting Abacha for life. Now during Obasanjo's time, he was among the earliest to support third term. He finds it easy to toe the path of infamy. This news of his embarassment is one the best news I have heard in recent times. Kudos to the guys who ensured that he was disgraced. Let people like him continue to face such humiliation even when they are rich. Conclusion: Iwuanyawu had never stood for anything noble.

Gapped  # 8 | 11.09.2006 12:22

Maybe most of us will be better severed when we understand the role of Iwuanyanwu and awarded contracts in the Eastern Region. Did he perform? Was he paid and what are the documented state of such projects that the Federal Government has expended allocations for, funded and contracts signed. How did Iwuanyanwu handle such opportunities for the good of the Ibo land? These are issues that once understood will make one rethink ones views as it relates to the Ibo leadership. Self, unpatriotic nature, greed, lack of moral character, unprincipled, dishonest, and an absolute disregard for the truth.

BLF  # 9 | 12.09.2006 18:56

STEVE: Funny creatures? Did I read you right? Please respond accordingly.I demand an immediate explanation for your malversation/fraudulent trick.Your contumelious proclivity is not rubbing me fine at this very moment and a retraction will be quite in order......or worst days endure.I can't imagine a scatterbrain like you making such wanton deprecating comment about a group obviously a million times more intelligent than any group(goons and minions) you may belong to. I mean, a rake such as you can never stand a chance against these "funny creatures" if your craphole of a country isn't so despicably funny and populated by a bunch of thieving retards whose only stock in trade is to consume what they cannot produce. Toothpicks are imported into that stinkhole of a country for crying out loud.I Hope you are following the row between Atiku and Obasanjo while trying to keep track of the millions of dollars involved. This,my friend, is just the tip of the iceberg. This is nothing.Nothing!I think Iwuanyanwu deserved what he got. It was a long time coming to him. Irukwu too deserves to be stripped naked at the town square. Just watch out Irukwu,'cos this too shall come to pass.Believe me.

Mee  # 10 | 13.09.2006 17:21

Iwuanyanwu probably deserved the treatment he received from the crowd. There are reasons for that. As an engineer, he received moneys for several road contracts in the Igbo land and did nothing at best. Even the roads his company attempted to build, none lasted more than fee days - most immediately fell apart. As a politician, he has caused more harm in Imo State than good. And to the Igbo people in general, he has sold out in several occassions. I could rundown the instances but I do not have the time. However, I must state that he is not deserving of any respect in our land. mee.