‘We do not support IPOB’s secessionist agenda – Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that the body is against violent agitation in any form, further adding that it believes in the continued corporate existence of Nigeria.
The group stated this at a news conference in Abakaliki, Monday, organised as part of activities marking the 62nd Independence celebration in Nigeria, as well as, the 26th anniversary of the creation of Ebonyi State.
The body which spoke through President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ebonyi chapter, Dr Peter Mbam, however, noted that the body was against all forms of marginalisation, including social injustice and misgovernance.
He said that Ohanaeze as a social-cultural body representing the interest of the Igbo race both within and in the Diaspora, had the responsibility to protect the Igbo citizens in every part of the world.
The Ebonyi Chapter of Ohanaezez Ndigbo’s position is slightly at variance with that of the pro-secession group in the South East region of the country, the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) which has increasingly clamoured for a breakaway republic following years of injustice and marginlisation meted out by the Federal Government against the entire geo-political zone.
“As the name implies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is responsible for the protection of Ndigbo Worldwide. There’s no part of the world where you will not find an Igbo man or Igbo people.
“In Nigeria, Ohanaeze supports all agitations that support the interest of Ndigbo and any other marginalised group.
“We work with governments at all levels; the federal, state and local governments to ensure that the citizens get what they expect from the leadership of the country.
“We want to make sure that their religious, economic and political interests are secured.
“We are advocates for lawful approach in solving critical national problems; we believe in diplomacy and round table approach and do not support Ndigbo to leave Nigeria.
“We still want to be in Nigeria. We want a restructured Nigeria where social justice, fairness, equity and equality will reign supreme and we want a Nigeria where we will be treated not as second-class citizens,” Mbam said.
On the 2023 general elections, the group expressed the need for all the political actors to ensure that the elections would be peaceful to deliver the desired outcome.
“We want the election of next year to be the most peaceful. We will go down to the grassroots to deliver our message; you don’t equip the young men to go against your political opponents, we want them to see themselves as contestants, that’s what we are talking about,” Mbam added.
