OHANEZE Ndigbo has come out to distance itself from Radio Biafra director Nnamdi Kanu pointing out that his approach to the perceived marginalisation of the Igbo's is unacceptable as any problems should be sorted out within the context of a united Nigeria.
Over recent weeks, thousands of Igbo youths have been demonstrating across the country demanding the recreation of the independent nation state if Biafra and the immediate release of Mr Kanu, who is facing felony charges. Running his pirate radio station from the UK, Mr Kanu has called for the destruction of Nigeria and has vowed that Igbos will fight to create their own nation state.
Yesterday, however, Dr Joe Nwaorgu, the Ohaneze Ndigbo secretary-general, said Mr Kanu’s strategies to correct the alleged imbalance were at variance with that of the apex body, which believed that any problems could be resolved within the country and not through violence. He, however, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to consider releasing Mr Kanu unconditionally.
Dr Nwaorgu said: “Kanu’s solution to the Biafran matter is different from ours and not acceptable to us. Kanu and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo are operating on different sides of the coin.
He and the youths believe in going out to the streets to protest and Kanu’s despondency is much deeper than ours. I am not trying to justify his method but we demand his unconditional release.”
Pointing out that Mr Kanu is yet to apologise to Igbo leaders for the things he has said about them, Dr Nwaorgu added that despite this, Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not satisfied with President Buhari’s performance so far. He added that apart from the fight against corruption, the Buhari administration should try to entrench equity and justice.
“For us that witnessed the civil war, our approach now is that Nigeria’s problems can be solved within Nigeria and by Nigerians. Ohanaeze will not support secession and violence, which is why we are agitating that the Eighth National Assembly implements the confab report evolved during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“What we are fighting for in the present dispensation is that the wickedness of over 35 years after the civil war should be corrected. Justice and equity must be the hallmarks of the new government and we maintain our stand that the confab report should be implemented,” Dr Nwaorgu said.
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