Abuja demolition: Iwuanyanwu warns Igbo group against protest

The President General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, High Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has cautioned the Igbo Community Assembly(ICA) Abuja against embarking on any form of protest to press home their demands as a result of the recent demolition of the property of Chief Nicholas Chukwujeku Ukachukwu by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). 

Tribune Online recalls that the ICA, under the leadership of Honorable Ositadinma Patrick Nwoye, had about a month ago, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to tender a public apology to the Igbos or face the wrath of all Igbos and the gods of Igboland.

But Iwuanyanwu had during a courtesy call on him by the ICA, appealed to the association to exercise patience promising to take the case of the demolition to the FCT minister as well as President Bola Tinubu for amicable and permanent solution. 

He said the Igbos have contributed significantly to the development of Abuja and Nigeria as a country and deserve to be recognised for what they have done for the country. 

“I have listened to your points and what you brought. I feel very sad about the whole situation. Frankly speaking, I’ve heard about it and I understand even that houses worth over N11 billion were demolished. I have sent for Nicholas Ukachukwu because he is a very patriotic son of Nigeria. He is a Nigerian son who has served Nigeria in parliament. Nicholas Ukachukwu is an industrialist who has spent time in developing Abuja. At the time Igbos came to Abuja, many other Nigerians were not willing to come. Igbo came and as very patriotic Nigerians embarked on development of Abuja. 

“There is no way anybody can talk about the development of Abuja without giving due credit to Igbos. Nicholas believes in the unity of this country. Anybody who is ready to invest billions of naira in Abuja must actually be doing it because he believes in Nigeria. As your president, I have the duty to protect the interest of the Igbos while also ensuring that Igbos act within the limit of the constitution of Nigeria. I’m not going to support any Igbo person who does the wrong thing but from the experiences I have had so far, there are areas where Igbos are just hated for no just cause, profiled for offences they didn’t commit.

“I want to therefore as the President General of the Ohaneze Ndigbo and your leader to say I’m happy to have you in my office. Obviously, as your leader, I’m going to make sure that Igbos get their rights and I want to assure you that as your leader, I will do my best. I will appeal as your father to cancel the deadline you gave and don’t embark on any demonstration because it could result in violence and human lives and property can be lost. 

“So give me the opportunity to go into this matter after which I will meet you again. But please suspend any demonstration or action until I have exhausted all means of reaching those in authority. The minister of the FCT is a politician who respects me a lot. I will see him on this matter and get back to you,” the elder statesman said.