The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo has dissociated itself from the threats of violence issued by some pro-Biafra activists over the demand for the release of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu
Secretary General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, also said the threats of secession by some activists over alleged marginalisation of the Igbo was not the right way to address the issue, Punch reports.
Some pro-Biafra activists under the aegis of the Indigenous People of Biafra had threatened to destroy the Nigerian High Commission building in India over the detention of Kanu. There has also been a series of protests outside the country over the detention of Kanu.
But while speaking in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday, Nwaorgu said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo would never support violence and cautioned the activists against doing so.
He said, “We condemn the threats of violence issued by pro-Biafra activists. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not supporting violence. So, we don’t support the threats to destroy embassy buildings. Yes, there is marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group in the President Muhammadu Buhari government but the threat of violence and secession is out of point.
“We are not planning to secede. We are going to sort out the inequality issue with our fellow Nigerians. We are fighting for justice, equity and fair play. That is why we want the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference to be implemented.”
On the call for the ban of the Eze Ndigbo titles outside Igbo land, Nwaorgu said the Ohanaeze Ndigbo had already constituted a committee headed by Chief Guy Ikokwu to address the matter.
According to him, the committee’s recommendations would enable the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to standardise the Eze Ndigbo title.
Nwaorgu also said the group was not bothered by the plans of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress to field a northern candidate for the 2019 presidential election.
He said, “Man proposes, God disposes. Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not a political party and not under any political party. When the time comes, we shall analyse the situation and take a stand in the best interest of the Ndigbo.
“The political parties are playing their politics. That the North should produce a candidate for the 2019 presidential election is not binding on us. Neither is the APC’s decision binding on us. We shall take our decision and that will be in the interest of the Igbo people.”
