Ohanaeze Ndigbo not against creation of more states but —Emuchay, general secretary

THE pan-Igbo organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned those it described as crisis triggers against further undermining the structure and status of the main umbrella of the people of Igbo extraction.

The secretary general of the organization,  Ambassador Okey Emuchay (MFR), in an email to the Nigerian Tribune, made clarifications following a report that the body had endorsed the creation of Anioma State.

He faulted those individuals behind a recent open letter to President Bola Tinubu on the agitation for the creation of Anioma State without recourse to the structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

He explained that while the organisation is not averse to the creation of additional states in the South-East, such exercise should be in sync with the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.

He noted that the letter to President Tinubu erroneously claimed that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo,’ representing the Igbo in 13 states and in the diaspora,’ had endorsed the demand for the creation of Anioma State.

“We are aware that the Igbo nation will surely be incensed and rattled by such an advertorial that did not pass through the Igbo cultural consensus.

“We have pleaded with the above characters that the Igbo problem is far beyond them.   “The egalitarian Igbo formed an Imeobi Ohanaeze and the Ohanaeze General Assembly, where the major issues affecting the Igbo are deliberated upon before arriving at a resolution.

“It must be clearly stated that we do not in any way begrudge the legitimate and inalienable right of the Anioma movement led by Senator Ned Nwoko.

“We commend the courage and steadfastness of the Distinguished Senator Nwoko, but a situation where we have other demands for state creation, such as Aba, Adada, Etiti, Orashi, Orlu states, etc., it is very unthoughtful, harebrained, and a huge embarrassment to the Igbo nation for a few persons to use the hallowed name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to issue a far-reaching press release without adequate consultations with the Igbo stakeholders.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Imeobi Ohanaeze will soon be convened to constitute an electoral umpire for the January 2025 Ohanaeze election.

“During the meeting, Ohanaeze will review the state of affairs in Nigeria and other matters affecting the Igbo.”

He lamented the continued activities of a certain group of people undermining the organization despite repeated calls for caution.

“Within the week, Ohanaeze had issued a statement to debunk a press release by crises triggers to the effect that Ohanaeze is in deep crises.

“In the release, we reiterated that the secretary general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is Ambassador Okey Emuchay (MFR) and that any other press releases emanating from elsewhere should be taken for what it is.”

“We once again plead with the above characters to desist from desecrating the sacredness of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation; reminding them that the Igbo all over the world owes a profound emotional attachment to Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”

READ ALSO: Ohanaeze Ndigbo blames South East govs over Kanu’s prolonged detention