The Ohanaeze Ndigbo , an apex socio- cultural organisation of the Igbo , on Thursday , disowned the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra , Nnamdi Kanu and his movement, IPOB.
The President – General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nnia Nwodo said this while addressing members of the Anambra State house of Assembly at the Legislative Complex , Awka, Anambra State. Nwodo who was particularly embittered by the call by IPOB for a boycott of Anambra Election in November , said Kanu had breached the undertaking he took before him (Nwodo ) when he was released from detention .
He said, “I ’m just being paternal . The way I commended them as my children ; is the way I have the right to chastised them when they go wrong. We don ’ t need this heat up ”.
Nwodo ’s addressed read in part “News that reached us in the past few days that Nnamdi Kanu , the leader of IPOB has declared that there will be no election in Anambra in November is shocking and disturbing. I hereby countermand that declaration as President General of Ohaneze . “Whereas Ohanaeze understands the marginalization and unfair treatment of Igbos which have given rise to self- determination movements in Igboland , leaders of these movements must not arrogate to themselves the supreme leadership of Igboland .
“Statements of the kind credited to Nnamdi Kanu are provocative , misleading and unproductive. Why should Anambra people be denied the opportunity to choose their own leader? Why should any of us who are not from Anambra , no matter how highly placed, descend to the arena and dictate for Anambra people when to vote , whether to vote or who to vote for ? “Anambra , nay Igbos, are still part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria . Yes , we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria . Yes , some of us want Biafra . Yes , some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria . But the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria , bound by its laws , no matter how repressive or unjust . “Our approach to reforms of our laws even if it leads to self- determination or restructuring must be lawful . We must convince other Nigerians of our point of view, we must strive to make others share our convictions .
“Our language must be civil , respectful and lead to consensus building . We must resist any attempt to turn division amongst us , as to which way we must go , become a source of altercations between us .
“As we speak very many of our people living in Northern Nigeria are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1 st. Other Northerners living amongst us are also worried . ”
