Reconsider the 7 days’ Sit at Home order” Ohaneze to IPOB

The Apex Igbo Socio Cultural Group has expressed their concern over the proposed sit at home order from the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB. Concerned by its negative consequences, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged the separatist group to reconsider its stance.

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Last Monday, the IPOB pledged a seven-day lockdown beginning November 5 in support of its incarcerated leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, unless he is released by the Federal Government by November 4.

The apex Igbo group spoke as  first cousin of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Mr Chijindu Offor  raised fresh concern over the IPOB  leader’s health and pleaded with the federal government to grant him access to his personal physicians for thorough medical attention.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Chief Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, Ohanaeze urged the Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, to convene an emergency meeting of Igbo stakeholders and Youth Leaders to address the zone’s legitimacy crisis, particularly as it relates to the Anambra State election and the political solution for Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

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The statement as published by the vanguard Newspaper reads in parts: “The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide pleads with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to reconsider the 7 days’ Sit at Home order in the South-East of Nigeria from November 5 to November 11. This is to enable the governorship election for Anambra State scheduled for November 6 to hold.

“It is important to note that Anambra State is the economic live wire of the South East with an impressive steady growth trajectory. For instance, Anambra State showcases the best rural road network and rural community development in the South East if not in the entire Nigeria.

“Anambra is home to the greatest number of small, medium and large scale industries in the South East. Most recently, Anambra has added a cargo airport to its resource base.

“Above all, Onitsha is the largest market in West Africa. The implication of the above illustration is that Anambra State is the melting pot of Igbo traders and artisans. It stands to reason that Anambra is the big Iroko tree that provides a shade for most Igbos.”

“Apart from the shade, it also hosts the numerous birds that perch on the branches. Therefore, any harm to the Iroko tree will create untold disastrous chain reactions and catastrophe for the Igbo.”

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“While pleading with the IPOB to rescind the Lock Down plan, Ohanaeze Ndigbo requests the Chairman, South East Governors Forum and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi to convene an emergency meeting of Igbo stake holders and the Youth Leaders for the purpose of addressing the legitimacy crisis in the South East, especially as it relates to Anambra State election and the political solution for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

“It is important to point out that one of the causes of the crisis of confidence in the South-East is because of the yawning gap between the Youths and indeed the masses on one side and the political leaders on the other.”

“Therefore, the leadership of the various youth groups should not be excluded in any meeting aimed at resolving the current crises in Igbo Land. In other words, the youths want to be fully convinced of our commitment to their plight.”

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo reiterates its solidarity with any group that protests the Igbo alienation in the project Nigeria with a caution for restraint, maturity and wisdom. It is based on the foregoing that Ohanaeze adopts the philosophy of dialogue, negotiations in coalition with other concerned groups that comprise the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum led by Chief E K Clark.”

“It is also lamentable that the burial ceremony for the Afara Ukwu born Chief Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi, slated for November 5 in Umuahia, Abia State may be drastically affected by the prevailing Igbo social climate.”

“General JTU Aguiyi Ironsi represents so many things to the Igbo and we owe his soul a duty.”