By Godwin Akomah, Umuahia
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has thrown its full weight behind the emergence of an activist lawyer from Rivers State, Uche Nnam Okwukwu, as the President-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, cautioning against any action that could sabotage it.
In a statement on Saturday by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB declared its posisupport for the emergence of Okwukwu as the president-general of Ohanaeze.
The statement by Powerful particularly warned Governors from the southeast geopolitical zone against sabotaging the interest of the Igbo nation.
Okwukwu was elected on Friday during the organisation’s convention in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital but shortly after there, reports of another factional president – general, Senator Azuta Mbata, also emerged.
But reacting to the emergence of Mbata during a stakeholders’ meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu, Enugu State, IPOB warned that should the Governors make any further move to foist any person on the leadership of Ohanaeze, then it would mobilise to ensure that none of them will ever be reelected nor occupy any position of influence in the region again.
“The noble family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu hails the election of Barr. Uche Okwukwu as Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General.
“We equally call on the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Governors and Ohanaeze IMEOBI not to subvert the clear choice of the people or subject it to usual selfish political interests.
“Not content with entrenching and directly benefiting from the insecurity ravaging parts of Igboland, South-East governors have once again demonstrated their utter disdain and disrespect of the wishes of the majority of Igbos worldwide by engaging in activities clearly designed to sabotage the progress of our race at this critical juncture in our history.
“If the reports making the rounds are confirmed that these governors, led by Hope Uzodinma has openly rejected the legitimate and popular choice of the people in the person of Barr. Uche Okwukwu then that chaos their masters have for long been seeking to infuse into the socio-cultural and political framework of Igboland would have materialised.
“These governors have overstepped the boundary of decency and have gone a step too far in their shameful effort to impose yet another politician on the people. If these governors fail to retrace their steps, IPOB will openly align with our religious leaders in deploying all of its might to ensure that none of them will ever be reelected nor occupy any position of influence in our land ever again.
“Vox populi vox Deu. The voice of the people is the voice of God. And our people in Rivers State have spoken resoundingly that Barr. Uche Okwukwu is their choice to lead the apex Igbo organisation in the world. No Jupiter will overturn that.”
