Ohanaeze replies Northern Elders, says FG’s insensitivity to South-East, responsible for secessionist not IPOB 

By FELIX UKAH, Abakaliki

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has dismissed the Northern Elders’ claim that the purported silence of Igbo leaders in the ongoing security crises in Southeastern Nigeria implied support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

The group described the comment in a press statement issued on Tuesday as “fallacies and myth” craftily designed for sinister motives by anti-Igbo exponents.

Secretary-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo faction, Mazi Okechukwu isiguzoro stated that contrary to beliefs of Northerners on secessionist campaigns, the popularity of Biafra agitation by Igbo Youths are based on the fallout of the systematic frustrations of the Federal Government’s discrimination against Southeastern Nigeria.

“Unlike most Nigerian Youths, Igbo Youths are subjected to untold hardship especially in this covid-19 worsening economic era, in every 10 unemployed people, 6 are Igbo youths, traders amongst them are frustrated either by an unfriendly governments policies or host communities animosities”.

“Igbo leaders are not happy with the” I don’t care attitude” of the Presidency, all the lamentation of southeast marginalization appear to have fallen on deaf ears of the Presidency, as the Federal Government appears to be combat-ready at any slightest hint of conflicts of interests in southeastern Nigeria but appears powerless to the full-scale insurgency in Northern Nigeria.”

The Ohaneze explained the two postures of the Federal Government, being brutal in the Southeast and sluggish in the North does not encourage peaceful coexistence.

“The two-faced behaviors of Federal authorities are the reason for secessionist turmoils in Middle belt, Southeast and Southwest regions.

“Igbo leaders and governors are not behind Ipob and are unhappy with the attacks on police formations and government facilities, but the happenings in southeastern Nigeria appear to be ‘the Hands of Esau and the voice of Jacob’, it’s sponsored solely to blackmail the southeast Presidency and portray that Igbos should not be trusted with political power in 2023″.

It added, “anti-Igbo exponents are ( unknowingly) playing a historical role in the fulfilment of Nigerian President of Igbo extraction 2023. (Daily Independent)