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Ohanaeze absolves IPOB from terrorism, lauds Buhari for considering Kanu’s release

By Osiberoha Osibe, Awka
24 November 2021   |   4:18 am
Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a terrorist organisation, insisting that Federal Government’s terrorism tag on the group...

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is not a terrorist organisation, insisting that Federal Government’s terrorism tag on the group was aimed at giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it.

National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, who stated this in Awka, Anambra State, insisted that there was the need to deproscribe IPOB as a terrorist group because its members do not carry arms.

Okeke-Ogene said Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes in dialogue, negotiation and political solutions to issues of insecurity other than military option.

He also said IPOB’s activities have been hijacked by enemies of the South East region, who are bent on sabotaging the socio-economic life of the zone.

Okeke-Ogene hailed as a welcome development the visit of some Igbo leaders led by First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi to President Muhammadu Buhari on the need for the release of Nnandi Kanu.

He added that Ohanaeze Ndigbo was part of the delegation represented by former governor of Anambra State and member of Ohanaeze Imeobi, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Goddy Uwazurike, and others.

He also commended Buhari’s humility and leadership maturity for giving hope to the Igbo people on a peaceful resolution of the matter, adding: “This is the beginning of having light at the end of the tunnel.”

Okeke-Ogene, however, observed that IPOB’s sit-at-home order was due to Federal Government’s extremism when it comes to matters affecting the Igbo, insisting that as soon as the Buhari administration soft-pedaled and embraced dialogue, everything would normalise inn the country.

He that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would continue to demand for restructuring of the country, equitable allocation and distribution of resources, as well as appointive and elective positions.

He also argued that agitations from IPOB, Niger Delta and lately the Yoruba Nation, was induced by injustice, marginalisation, lack of equity and fair play in Nigeria, which, according to him, resulted in the Niger Delta, Zango Kataf struggles, among others.

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