Alaigbo Development Foundation Youth League (ADF-YL), which is the Vanguard group of the organization, has condemned attempt by few aggrieved persons to maliciously damage the reputation of Emeritus Prof. Uzodinma Nwala, Chairman of ADF Congress.
ADF-YL called for caution in spreading falsehood and campaign of calumny against the accomplished elder statesman, harping on the need for respect for elders.
A statement signed by Comrade Osita Chukwuagbanarinam, Acting Chairman ADF-YL and Comrade Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Secretary ADF-YL, cautioned on the danger of laying unfounded allegations on any revered Igbo Icon.
The statement reads in part “Attention of ADF-YL has been brought to a publication signed by Mr. Abia Onyike and Mr. Chukwuemeka Obinwugo in attempt to maliciously damage the reputation of Emeritus Prof. Uzodinma Nwala the Chairman of ADF Congress.
“We the ADF-YL hereby call for caution on laying unfounded allegations on any of our revered Igbo Icons.
“These character assassination and campaign of calumny just to sustain relevance on the pages of newspaper must stop as this is endangering the chances of Ndigbo and we the Youth cannot receive such mess as an inheritance for the propagation of Igbo freedom struggle.
“How can two men wake up and write article of suspension on a man massively followed by Umuigbo? No clue of a valid ADF Meeting where such a decision was taken.
“No Meeting agenda treated only to write that Emeritus Prof. Uzodinma Nwala has been expelled from ADF. This looks ridiculous and we are feeling this shame on their behalf and want such defacing of entire Igbo Nation not to continued.
“AlaIgbo Development Foundation Youth League (ADF-YL) as also alleged in that publication is not Nwala’s militia group but a concerned Igbo Youth volunteers to save Ndigbo from extinction, injustices and neo-enslavement.
“We wonder this heart of hate of that publication to make us enemy of the state, in order to waste the lives of innocent Igbo Youth volunteers for the service of Umuigbo. ADF-YL is Constitutional in ADF Constitution which is a registered Organization in Nigeria.
“For the pass ten years Nwala has been the hero of every body through ADF Leadership and eulogies by these men on him abound on publications both at Enugu and his home town etc.
“A monument statue standing in his compound till date speaks of his acceptance by all these men (which was credited to some of them) until when Prof. released the clue of stepping aside and succession interest came and he suddenly became this evil.
“This media war will reveal many of the nakedness of some people and that’s why we call for a halt towards this line.
“We are in cognizance of the Letter expressing the resolve of the Elders to postpone the election of 6th April 2024, as recorded by His Grace, Archbishop Chris Edeh as the Convener of the Elders to mediate in the misunderstanding in ADF.
“Secondly we also have the Resolution of Abia Chapter of ADF concerning the election, (where they disassociate from it, describing it as lacking in merit and other lapses) all these and more are part of approaches aimed at to unify ADF Family from factionalisation.
“Finally we as the vanguard of ADF, we the ADF-YL will do all things possible to save ADF and her genuine Leaders from unwarranted insults from all angles.
“Thanks and God bless you as you adjust to positively do the right for AlaIgbo.””