IPOB frowns at S’East governors, Ohanaeze’s stance on protests

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), whose members have spearheaded recent protest in the South East over alleged marginalisation by the Nigerian government, has frowned at the stance of governors in the region and the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on their agitation.

The Anambra State leader of IPOB, Emma Powerful, in Onitsha, yesterday, warned the two blocs to steer clear of the group’s affairs, while another pro-Biafra group, the Igbo Mandate Congress, (IMC), accused Ohanaeze Ndigbo of selfishness in piloting the affairs of the Igbo nation.

Emma Powerful cautioned the governors and political leaders to sensor their comments and reactions on the release of the Radio Biafra director, Nnamdi Kanu, saying: “We warned the South East governors and Ohanaeze to stop discussing IPOB because they have disappointed us, Ndigbo and Biafrans in general.”
“You can only talk about the unconditional release of our leader, Nnamdi Kanu and not to talk of how to stop the worldwide, peaceful pro-Biafra protests. We will not stop the protest until our leader is released unconditionally. Those claiming that they are representing IPOB and the Igbo nation should desist from such conduct in their own interest. This warning is also to the governors, because we don’t know them,” he warned.

Also frowning at the entreaties of two blocs, leader of IMC, Rev. Obinna Akukwe, regretted that Ohanaeze, which is supposed to properly represent the Igbos, has turned to be a thorn in the fresh of the its people.

According to Akukwe, “Ohanaeze has now turned to a money yielding venture as the leadership and elders have become money conscious in piloting the affairs of the body. The crisis you hear today in Ohanaeze is about money and on two occasions, during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, they quarreled sharing formula.

“In the first quarrel, each of the executive members got N20 million and the President General refused to take his because he was not interested in money but rather on how to move the Igbo nation forward. Those who got theirs threatened to eliminate him for being upright. I have my documents and photocopy of the cheque they collected in the name of speaking for us.

“If not for the protest by IPOB and MASSOB, which have put fear in them they would have rushed to President Mohammadu Buhari for money like they did in the time of late President Yar’adua and Jonathan. Igbo politicians are not left out in this agitation, as they will also be held responsible for the infrastructural decay in the zone. Their sense of insensitivity keeps us in the condition we are today.”