Politicians behind installation of Emir of Aba, says Ohanaeze

The factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo has queried attempts by politicians to foist an Emir of Aba, except for sinister motives of winning elections through the back door.

The splinter apex Igbo socio-cultural group noted that the development would destroy the economic hub of the South East, and create insecurity situations to destabilise the most peaceful town in the South East through provocation and imposition of an alien culture, which will lead to religious and tribal clashes.

In a statement by the body’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, yesterday, Ndigbo said it traced the genesis of killings and insecurity challenges in Imo State to events of February 26, 2020, when the state government received the new Imam of Owerri, and it was reported that Governor Hope Uzodinma had installed the Emir of Imo State.

“This was seen as abomination committed by Imo government against the people and Ndigbo, generally, irrespective of explanations by the state government.

Biafra agitators, especially Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Baifra (MASSOB) declared war on the governor. As a result, hoodlums and criminals capitalised on these anti-people policies to carry out nefarious activities in the state, from which the state government has not recovered.

“Ndigbo commended the government of Abia State for banning the secret installation of Emir of Aba and the Emirate Council,” the group said.

“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s timely intervention halted the violence and chaos that would have followed such induction of an Emirate council in Aba. We are aware that desperate Abuja-based political jobbers and corrupt individuals are behind the scenes working to ensure that Aba goes up in flames to have reprisal attacks on Igbo living in 19 Northern States.

“This is barbaric, satanic and mischievous endeavour to commence unending crisis in Aba, using the most provocative spears on Ndigbo, an unknown Emir of Aba against prominent traditional stools and rules of the city.”