The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has described as shambolic the election which produced three factional President General of the Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, calling on the apex Igbo organisation to redeem its image by immediately presenting a consensus leader.
IPOB in a statement on Sunday signed by its media and publicity secretary, Emma powerful, said it is deeply concerned that Ohaneze Ndigbo has been hijacked and polarized by the Nigerian government through Igbo governors and politicians.
The separatist group expressed sadness that Ohaneze Ndigbo which was founded to defend the interest of Ndigbo has regrettably turned to a political group and ironically working as a stooge to the point that it is now afraid to boldly condemn the marginalization and injustice meted against Ndigbo in Nigeria.
IPOB stressed that the factionalization tactics that the Nigerian government and her proxy the Igbo politicians tried to create in IPOB without success have been successfully carried out in Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The group which canvassed for an immediate reuniting of all the various factions in the organisation, called on members to rescue themselves or become completely irrelevant.
The statement which read in parts said: “IPOB has followed the activities of Ohaneze Ndigbo in the last 8 years and found out that the Ohaneze Ndigbo group has been hijacked and polarized by the Nigerian government and their proxy actors, Igbo governors and other Igbo politicians. It is very sad that Ohaneze Ndigbo has turned to a political group instead of a social cultural group that ought to defend Igbo interest on every level.
“This sad development has made Ohaneze Ndigbo a stooge to the state governors and other politicians who work for the Fulani government of Nigeria. The Ohaneze Ndigbo has lost her voice to speak the truth to powers. They have politicized and monetized and gas been pocketed to the point that they are afraid to boldly condemn the marginalization and injustice against Ndigbo in Nigeria in contrast to their mandate. IPOB and its leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU thought Ohaneze Ndigbo Social Cultural group would have replaced the Igbo union of 1945.
“The various factions that exist in Ohanaeze Ndigbo today are because of the overbearing influence from the Nigerian government via their proxy Igbo politicians. Igbo governors and politicians should allow Ohaneze Ndigbo to be themselves and to perform their cultural and social roles in making sure that the great Igbo Nation has a united front to determine our future.
“The unfortunate turn of events in the last Ohaneze Ndigbo’s election where three(3) Igbo sons from Ikwere land in Rivers State claimed to have been elected as the Ohaneze Ndigbo President General is of serious concern to all. Senator Azubike Azuta Mbata, Barr. Dim Uche Okwukwu and Jack Omenazu were all declared winners from different factions of Ohaneze Ndigbo. We call on Ohaneze Ndigbo members to rally together and reach a consensus on who the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo is. If possible, organize another open and transparent election among the three people concerned. If Ohaneze Ndigbo members fail to resolve their election dispute peacefully, it means they are incapable of speaking for Ndigbo. IPOB may be forced to take drastic decisions against Ohaneze Ndigbo and their activities in Biafra Land.
“IPOB calls on the Igbo Elders Forum, Igbo Traditional Rulers, responsible politicians, religious leaders, Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Leaders, and so on to intervene in this matter. The factionalization tactics that the Nigerian government and her proxy Igbo politicians tried to create in IPOB without success, they have successfully carried out in Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The responsible members of Ohaneze Ndigbo must fight to rescue themselves if they would become completely irrelevant again. IPOB is waiting and hoping that the Ohaneze Ndigbo will, within six months, resolve their leadership quagmire, or they will lose their relevance.”
