David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi and Raphael Ede, Enugu
Despite threats by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to disrupt the May 21, 2018 proposed summit by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, yesterday, said there was no cause for alarm.
Reacting to IPOB’s threats, Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State chapter, Chief Daniel Okeke Ogene, in Awka, said members of IPOB are Igbo sons and daughters, who must not traditionally dictate to their fathers what to do or what not to do.
He said other regional groups in Nigeria, like those from South South, South West and others, do theirs peacefully without being disrupted by Ijaw youths, Afenifere or other youths, and wondered why the Igbo should be different.
Chief Ogene said what is to be discussed at the summit is the issue of restructuring Nigeria as clearly written on the invitation cards. He said it is not an Igbo affair alone.
“The summit means well for the entire Nigeria. It is for equity, justice and fairness. It is championed by 80 per cent of Nigerians. Sometimes, people who never like good things try to bring in sentiments.
“Anybody, who loves Nigeria should be thinking of how it will exist.
“Igbo believe in Nigeria of equity, justice and fairness. We are part of the crusade for restructuring Nigeria,” he said.
Chief Ogene said Igbo have the culture of fathers being at the helm of affairs and not the children, adding that the elders have nothing in contention with IPOB, “because they are our sons and daughters entitled to their opinions.”
He said many members of IPOB are educated enough to know what democratic process means.
Meanwhile, a pro-Biafra organisation, the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN), has come hard on IPOB, describing the order issued on the summit for restructuring and attack on leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as distasteful.
The group said the summit for restructuring is not only timely, but a move in the right direction and should be supported by all freedom fighters and comrades of the Biafran cause.
Director General of MOBIN, Eberechukwu Anigbogu, in a statement made available to Daily Sun, yesterday, said the group was shocked at the continual, incessant threats against reason and common sense by the Nnamdi Kanu-led faction of IPOB.
“We are appalled that the organisation, in its unbridled desire for popularity, would always choose to attack every action taken to address our agitations, whether right or wrong.
“The latest is the repeated insults on the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and this time, in the form of threats against the proposed restructuring summit.
“The statement signed by Emma Powerful, threatening fire and brimstone against Ohanaeze Ndigbo is distasteful. More so, you cannot condemn every move made by our elders and insist it’s your opinion or nothing.”
While calling on Biafrans to beware of Powerful and their threat, she said “we have no better alternative to the summit, given the current circumstances we find ourselves in.
“They should also be aware that the summit is lawful, and any attempt to disrupt it is illegal and would be stopped by security agencies.
“Emma Powerful, Uche Mefor and all others urging you to come out and confront legal security agents will not join you during the confrontation as they would be safe in their homes, far away from Nigeria, while you either get arrested, get injured or get killed.”