The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo to assist it in working towards the deproscribing of the group.
As a consolidation of the peace accord recently established between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leadership of IPOB yesterday, Tuesday, August 4, 2020, visited Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Executive Committee (NEC) at their monthly meeting.
Led by one of its principal officers, Mazi Benjamin Madubugwu, IPOB said that they came in continuation of the rapport reached with Ohanaeze at the Anambra State reconciliation meeting.
Mazi Madubugwu referred to an Igbo proverb which says that no matter how much a warrior is derided, he is always sought after when there is an outbreak of war.
The IPOB leader said that President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, remains the undisputed leader of Ndigbo. He expressed happiness with Nwodo’s “fatherly disposition and fight for the Igbo” in a country in which he said Ndigbo were “highly marginalised notwithstanding their contribution to the building of the Nigerian nation.”
Mazi Madubugwu said that IPOB was not a terrorist organisation, adding that it was just being given a bad name to hang it.
The IPOB leader said that most of the actions of their master, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had been coloured by the information given to him which, he said, were sometimes distorted.
He assured that Kanu was always available for discussions with Chief Nwodo on matters concerning the Igbo.
Also speaking, another leader of IPOB, Barrister Ejimakor, said that Chief Nwodo has the clout and charisma to help IPOB out of its present predicament, adding that he was happy that the gap hitherto existing between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo had been bridged for a united voice for Ndigbo in Nigeria.
Responding, the Ohanaeze President General welcomed the IPOB leaders, reassuring them that he was always ready to accept his children back into the fold no matter their earlier recalcitrance.
He recalled all efforts he had made to establish an amicable and complimentary relationship with IPOB since assuming office but were frustrated by the IPOB leader, Mazi Kanu.
Nwodo stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had no quarrel with Kanu and that he believed that whatever evil machinations of detractors has come to nought with the recent rapproachment between the two groups.
He prayed that this latest development “should be the opening of the door for mutual cooperation between IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo.” He urged IPOB to also share views with Mr Tony Nnadi, whom he said was working towards the same objective as IPOB.
The Ohanaeze President General called on Kanu to change his tactics of abuse and belligerence as a step towards building bridges for Ndigbo in the country.
He reiterated that both IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo share in the same cause of fighting to emancipate Ndigbo and give them a lease of life and sense of fairness in the country but differ in the methodology or approach towards the realisation of the objective.
Nwodo stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo still believes in dialogue and the restructuring of the country for an inclusive participation in the Nigeria project.
Meanwhile, members of the Ohanaeze National Executive Committee (NEC) yesterday passed a vote of confidence on Nwodo.
Moving a motion at their NEC meeting, the Anambra State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke, extolled what he described as “the wonderful and unequalled leadership” of the body by Chief Nwodo in the past three and half years.
Okeke said that Nwodo has been cerebral, articulate and unrelenting in his fight for the advancement of the fortunes of the Igbo in the country.
He recounted the almost war-like tenure of Nwodo, which he said the President General had steered with the dexterity of a war general not minding the possible perils to his life.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Okeagu Ogadah, said that what was most outstanding about Nwodo’s leadership style was his openness and transparency which he said reflected in his judicious and accountable disbursement of the meagre resources available to Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Responding, Nwodo said he was humbled and disarmed by the overt and overwhelming endorsement of his leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He thanked the NEC for the confidence reposed in him and assured that as his administration winds down, he would redouble his efforts to leave lasting legacies for Ndigbo.
