IPOB denies plan to attack journalists, says they are ‘dependable allies’

• Abia monarchs task South-East govs on release of Kanu

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has debunked what it described as fallacious, a statement credited to one Petrus Obi against the group concerning the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) in the South-East.

IPOB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled, “Journalist, our dependable allies, no plan to attack them,” said that the group had nothing against the union and would support and defend it and the media practitioners because they have been on the side of truth regarding the atrocities of Fulani herdsmen, bandits and terrorists in Nigeria.

Powerful stated that IPOB could never resort to attacking NUJ in South-East because journalists are not their problem but partners in progress, adding that despite that IPOB remains the most peaceful freedom movement in the world today, its detractors and enemies are trying to portray IPOB in a bad light to demonise its hard-built images worldwide.

“We reiterate that IPOB is a friend of NUJ, and will never take any action injurious to their interest. Importantly, IPOB is peace-loving and committed to Biafra restoration.

“The fabricated and fallacious statement from Petrus Obi against IPOB should be ignored and disregarded.

“We, therefore, caution him to retrace his steps and stop dragging IPOB into his NUJ politics. He is too little to contend with IPOB.”

IN another development, the Ohuhu Clan Council of Traditional Rulers in Umuahia North Local Council of Abia State has tasked the South-East governors and Ndi-Igbo to work relentlessly for the release of the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Chairman of the Council and traditional ruler of Umudiawa Kingdom Eze, Nnamdi Ofoegbu, said this, yesterday, during the Clan’s 2021 New Yam celebration chaired by Chief Onyema Ugochukwu (the Ikoro Ohuhu).

Eze Ofoegbu specifically requested Governor Ikpeazu to facilitate a meeting of the Umuahia traditional rulers with President Muhammadu Buhari on the release of Kanu whom he stated, “has lost virtually everything in the fight for Igbo freedom.”

President-General of Ohuhu Welfare Union, Chief Obi Aguocha, said the event was also used to thank God for His blessings on two Ohuhu wives and a son and the protection of Ohuhu sons, and daughters from the #EndSARS protests and COVID-19 pandemic.

The trio were Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who emerged as Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Mrs. Uzoma Emenike as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States (.U.S) and Dr. Onyema Ogbuagu, a co-founder of the Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.

Ikpeazu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Anthony Agbazuere, described New Yam celebration as a ritual that distinguishes Ndigbo from other tribes and urged them to continue to exhibit pride in their rich cultural heritage.