Ohanaeze Disowns Nnamdi Kanu And IPOB Over Anambra Election Boycott Threat

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Thursday disowned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and called out its leader Nnamdi Kanu over the coming gubernatorial polls in Anambra.

This was made known by the President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief John Nwodo, while addressing the members of the Anambra State House of Assembly at the Legislative Complex, Awka, Anambra State.

According to Nwodo, Kanu had breached the undertaking he took before him when he was released from detention..

He said;

“News That Reached Us In The Past Few Days That Nnamdi Kanu, The Leader Of IPOB, Has Declared That There Will Be No Election In Anambra State In November Is Shocking And Disturbing. I Hereby Countermand That Declaration As President-General Of Ohanaeze. 

“Whereas Ohanaeze Understands The Marginalisation And Unfair Treatment Of Igbo Which Have Given Rise To Self-Determination Movements In Igboland, Leaders Of These Movements Must Not Arrogate To Themselves The Supreme Leadership Of Igboland.

The leader of the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo decried the “provocative, misleading and unproductive” statement by Kanu, saying the clamour for self determination must be lawful.

“Our Language Must Be Civil, Respectful And Lead To Consensus Building. We Must Resist Any Attempt To Turn Division Amongst Us, As To Which Way We Must Go, Become A Source Of Altercations Between Us. 

“As We Speak, Very Many Of Our People Living In Northern Nigeria Are In Complete Awe And Consternation Regarding How Safe They Will Be After October 1st. Other Northerners Living Amongst Us Are Also Worried. 

“The Inspector-General Of Police Has Taken Public Notice Of Nnamdi’s Comments Inviting A Possible Invasion Of Anambra By The Nigeria Police, Increasing The Already Existing Siege Of Our People Which Lead To Daily Extortion On Our Highways. All These Developments Have Arisen Out Of Unguarded Utterances. 

“I Find No Venue More Suited For The Statements I Make Here. Every Constituent Part Of Anambra Is Represented Here. I Believe That The Honourable Members Here Are Competent Enough To Carry The Ohanaeze Message To Every Nook And Cranny Of Anambra State.”

Nwodo added that the organisation would visit other Houses of Assembly in Igbo-speaking states to further the interest of the southeast region.