BIAFRA: My Relationship With IPOB- Ohanaeze Ndigbo Reveals
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has
revealed the kind of relationship it shares with the Indigenous People
of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement issued in Abakaliki on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga described the relationship between the national leadership of Ohanaeze and IPOB as that of father and son.
The group declared that no amount of foul comments will pitch it against members of IPOB, noting that their relationship was cordial.
It warned unscrupulous elements from making unguarded statements targeted at dragging the image of the group in the mud. It also denied any crack or division in its operations and constitution.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo added that no amount of pressure or attack in any form could derail or deform the resolve of the group towards protecting the views, interests and aspirations of Igbo in Nigeria.
It disowned the group led by one Chris Isiguzowho it alleged was parading and issuing statements on behalf of Ohanaeze Youth.
The statement reads: “It is pertinent to note that the leadership of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing was suspended way back in 2016 by former NEC led by Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey through the Imeobi of Ohanaeze.
“Owing to some inconsequential and discordant actions of the leadership of the Youth Wing, the Imeobi suspended the wing in May, 2016 (more than eight months before the current NEC was elected on January 10, 2017) relying on Article 23(iv)(b) of the Ohanaeze Constitution to wit: “Imeobi shall have the powers to dissolve the leadership of any wing, scrap or modify any wing as it deems fit in the interest of the Ohanaeze.
“The suspension was not and has not been lifted. Instead, the suspension order was inherited alongside that of the Women Wing by the present NEC on assumption of office and has been looking at the problems of the two wings in order to arrive at a final and acceptable solution.
“On the above premise, it is imperative to note that Ohanaeze has no crack or division and does not issue staccato statements and will not allow any illegitimate group or persons to issue statements and credit it to Ohanaeze in any guise. We are not oblivious that they are machinations tailored to drag Ohanaeze’s name, image and integrity in the mud.
“Currently, we have in custody a concrete and undeniable evidence of meetings and engagements of some Igbo sons (including Chris Isiguzo) and some other sponsored persons from a far geopolitical zone to distract and dismember Ohanaeze and create the impression that Ohanaeze is not one and does not speak for Ndigbo.
“We state in clear terms that the relationship between the national leadership of Ohanaeze and the IPOB is that of father and son. They remain our wards and the pages of newsprints cannot be the appropriate channel to admonish them. No sane man would chide his son in the market. Those who publish unguarded statements create crises between the Ohanaeze and the IPOB and infer bodies would only eat their disappointments.
“At any rate, we are focused and undaunted in Ohanaeze so that no amount of pressure or attack in any form can derail or deform our resolve to protect the views, interests and aspiration of Ndigbo”.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki on behalf of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga described the relationship between the national leadership of Ohanaeze and IPOB as that of father and son.
The group declared that no amount of foul comments will pitch it against members of IPOB, noting that their relationship was cordial.
It warned unscrupulous elements from making unguarded statements targeted at dragging the image of the group in the mud. It also denied any crack or division in its operations and constitution.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo added that no amount of pressure or attack in any form could derail or deform the resolve of the group towards protecting the views, interests and aspirations of Igbo in Nigeria.
It disowned the group led by one Chris Isiguzowho it alleged was parading and issuing statements on behalf of Ohanaeze Youth.
The statement reads: “It is pertinent to note that the leadership of the Ohanaeze Youth Wing was suspended way back in 2016 by former NEC led by Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey through the Imeobi of Ohanaeze.
“Owing to some inconsequential and discordant actions of the leadership of the Youth Wing, the Imeobi suspended the wing in May, 2016 (more than eight months before the current NEC was elected on January 10, 2017) relying on Article 23(iv)(b) of the Ohanaeze Constitution to wit: “Imeobi shall have the powers to dissolve the leadership of any wing, scrap or modify any wing as it deems fit in the interest of the Ohanaeze.
“The suspension was not and has not been lifted. Instead, the suspension order was inherited alongside that of the Women Wing by the present NEC on assumption of office and has been looking at the problems of the two wings in order to arrive at a final and acceptable solution.
“On the above premise, it is imperative to note that Ohanaeze has no crack or division and does not issue staccato statements and will not allow any illegitimate group or persons to issue statements and credit it to Ohanaeze in any guise. We are not oblivious that they are machinations tailored to drag Ohanaeze’s name, image and integrity in the mud.
“Currently, we have in custody a concrete and undeniable evidence of meetings and engagements of some Igbo sons (including Chris Isiguzo) and some other sponsored persons from a far geopolitical zone to distract and dismember Ohanaeze and create the impression that Ohanaeze is not one and does not speak for Ndigbo.
“We state in clear terms that the relationship between the national leadership of Ohanaeze and the IPOB is that of father and son. They remain our wards and the pages of newsprints cannot be the appropriate channel to admonish them. No sane man would chide his son in the market. Those who publish unguarded statements create crises between the Ohanaeze and the IPOB and infer bodies would only eat their disappointments.
“At any rate, we are focused and undaunted in Ohanaeze so that no amount of pressure or attack in any form can derail or deform our resolve to protect the views, interests and aspiration of Ndigbo”.
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