DEPROSCRIPTION OF IPOB: GROUP CALLS FOR SUPPORT OF OHANEZE NDIGBO

 

"Both IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo share in the same cause of fighting to emancipate Ndigbo and give them a lease of life and sense of fairness in the country but differ in the methodology or approach towards the realization of the objectiv"..... Nnia Nwodo.

..... Calls on Mazi Kanu to change his tactics of abuse and belligerence as a step towards building bridges for Ndigbo in the country.

With the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Ohaneze Ndigbo has been called upon to support efforts towards its deproscription.

This was the outcome of the consolidated Peace Accord reached recently between the leadership of IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Tuesday, 4th August 2020, when it visited the Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Executive Committee, NEC, at their monthly meeting.

A statement issued by Chief Emeka Attamah, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo, disclosed that the IPOB leadership, which was led by one of its principal officers, Mazi Benjamin Madubugwu, said that they came in continuation of the rapport reached with Ohanaeze at the Anambra State reconciliation meeting.

According to Mazi Madubugwu, "there is an Igbo proverb which says that no matter how much a warrior is derided, he is always sought after when there is an outbreak of war".

The IPOB leader said that Chief Nwodo remains the undisputed leader of Ndigbo and expressed happiness with his fatherly disposition and fight for the Igbo in a country.

"Ndigbo are highly marginalised notwithstanding their contribution to the building of the Nigerian nation", he said.

Mazi Madubugwu stressed that IPOB was not a terrorist organization, adding that it was just being given a bad name to hang it.

The IPOB leader said that most of the actions of their master, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had been coloured by the information given to him which he said, were sometimes distorted.

He assured that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was always available for discussions with Chief Nwodo on matters concerning the Igbo.

Also speaking, another leader of IPOB, Barrister Ejimakor, said that Chief Nwodo has the clout and charisma to help IPOB out of its present predicament, adding that he was happy that the gap hitherto existing between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo had been bridged for a united voice for Ndigbo in Nigeria.

Responding, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, welcomed the IPOB leaders, reassuring them that he was always ready to accept his children back into the fold no matter their earlier recalcitrance.

Chief Nwodo recalled all efforts he had made to establish an amicable and complimentary relationship with IPOB since assuming office but were frustrated by the IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The President General stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had no quarrel with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and that he believed that whatever evil machinations of detractors has come to nought with the recent reapproachment between the two groups.

Chief Nwodo prayed that this latest development should be the opening of the door for mutual cooperation between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and urged IPOB to also share views with Mr Tony Nnadi whom he said was working towards the same objective as IPOB. The President General called on Mazi Kanu to change his tactics of abuse and belligerence as a step towards building bridges for Ndigbo in the country.

Chief Nwodo reiterated that both IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo share in the same cause of fighting to emancipate Ndigbo and give them a lease of life and sense of fairness in the country but differ in the methodology or approach towards the realization of the objective.

He stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo still believes in dialogue and the restructuring of the country for an inclusive participation in the Nigeria project.