Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidency: IPOB Warns Obasanjo Against Interference, Condemns Planned Visit To Ex-President’s Home
The Biafran group stated that its fundamental objectives are to unite Ndigbo in all states in Anambra, Abia, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Kogi states.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has cautioned former President Olusegun Obasanjo, asking him not to interfere in the forthcoming election of new leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, insisting the election is an internal Igbo affairs.
The Biafran group who gave the advice in a statement on Sunday, warned those that contemplated to embark on a visit to Obasanjo in Otta Farm to interfere in the coming election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo should jettison such thoughts and contemplations for their own good.
In the statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB insisted that election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership must follow the existing constitution on rotation, adding that it should be the duty of the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation to unite all Igbo people who were created into different regions.
It noted that since it is the turn of Igbo people in Rivers State to produce the next Ohanaeze President General, efforts should be channelled in ensuring that a credible person with the Igbo interest at heart is elected.
“Following efforts to bring Ndigbo dispersed across states in South East Region, South South Region and North Central region together through Ohaneze Ndigbo and other similar forums, the Directorate of State (DOS) of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) use this medium to call on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to strictly adhere to the provisions of their constitution as it pertains to the election of the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in January 2025.”
Powerful claimed that intelligence reports at the disposal of IPOB revealed that some misguided individuals among Ohanaeze Ndigbo are working on changing some sections of their constitution to exclude Igbos from other regions from emerging as President General of the organisation.
The Biafran group stated that its fundamental objectives are to unite Ndigbo in all states in Anambra, Abia, Benue, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Edo and Kogi states.
“We believe that Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be at the forefront of this objectives of uniting Ndigbo worldwide together and not to work contrary to this objective.”
It insisted, “No Igbo person is more important than the other. Ndigbo are one flesh and one blood but balkanised by the Nigerian government in order to divide and conquer us.
“If the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo provides that it is the turn of Ndigbo in Rivers State to produce the next Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General in January 2025, then all hands and efforts should be channelled towards ensuring that a competent Onyeigbo from among Ndigbo in Rivers State is elected.
“There should be no question or need for other contestants from other states outside Rivers State to join the race for the election of Ohaneze Ndigbo’s President general in January 2025 because that is what their constitution stipulated and nobody should manipulate the process or embark on disgraceful visits to individuals outside Igboland and who are not Ndigbo in evil and wicked conspiracy to change the rules in other to deny Ndigbo in Rivers State their right to lead the Ohaneze socio-cultural group.
“We are of the considered view that Ohanaeze Ndigbo should be at the forefront of the Igbo unification project and not to sabotage it because those who toe that part will go down in our history as saboteurs and they and their entire generations will be regarded and seen in that light. They must consider properly the consequences of their actions both now and in the long future.
“IPOB and its leadership have been working assiduously to unite Ndigbo carved into other regions to come back together to pursue our common destiny by recognizing our oneness, Traditional Rulers and Elders of Igbo Nation and the Imeobi of Ohanaeze must do themselves a world of good to work for the unity of Ndigbo in all the regions of Igbo land.
“Furthermore, IPOB want to state it categorically and unequivocally that any individual or group of individuals who has contemplated, is contemplating or will contemplate to embark on a disgraceful visit to Obasanjo in Otta Farm to interfere in the coming election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Socio-cultural organization must jettison such thoughts and contemplations for their own good.
“It is the duty of the Imobi Ohanaeze, religious leaders, and first class Traditional Rulers in Igboland to settle the differences between members or factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, not a non-Igbo person or group. Obasanjo must stay away from getting himself involved in Ohanaeze matter even if some selfish individuals want to drag him into Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s issues.”
It added, “There was never a time when any Yoruba group came to the Igboland with their problems for Igbo people to settle it for them.
“It is not only shameful but subservient for any person or persons to contemplate taking Ohanaeze Ndigbo matter to another tribe to settle. That will not be allowed to happen. Ndigbo has men and women of honour and integrity who can intervene to justly settle any internal issues that may arise in Ala Igbo. We do not need outsiders and anti-Igbo people like Obasanjo and his cronies.
“IPOB forbid those misguided selfish Ohanaeze Ndigbo individuals from disgracing Ndigbo further with their behaviour. If these individuals insist on still going to Obasanjo to get himself involved in purely Ohanaeze Ndigbo internal matter, then such person or persons should after undertaking such journey, remain in Otta farms and never contemplate returning to Ala Igbo.
“If Ohaneze Ndigbo just try to deny Ndigbo in Rivers State their due right to present the next president general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, then those behind that attempt must be ready to take full responsibility for what would happen afterwards. More than (75%) of Ndigbo living in Rivers State are competent and qualified individuals with the capacity and capability to lead Ohanaeze Ndigbo as its President General.”
