Simon Ekpa’s agitation not for Igbo unity – Ohanaeze

The Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide has disclosed that Simon Ekpa’s agitation that has lead to many deaths in the region has no symptoms of Igbo unity and that the only person they recognize as the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) is Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The body also dismissed insinuations from some quarters that there has been a leadership crisis within Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo since the death of the former President, the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.

They insisted that the next Ohaneze president would come from Imo State in order to complete the slot for the state in the presidential position.

This was revealed by the Vice President of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, at a press conference, held in Awka on Saturday.

He called on all Igbo-speaking states to allow Imo State to complete its slot in the socio-cultural presidency.

“All these emergency leaders emerging here and there have not come to our notice. Sometimes, when you listen to Nnamdi Kanu, we still support him and believe that if he is released, he will tell us who his boys are,

“Because it is not a one-man movement, we still interact with him, and he is part and parcel of us. He is an Igbo son.”

“This issue of Simon Ekpa is unknown to me and to Ohanaeze Ndigbo. What we are concerned about is the release of Nnamdi Kanu, and if he is released, it would help us in Igbo land a great deal.”

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“In a structure, you must have an arrowhead. There are many setups within the IPOB issue, and many people have started claiming that they are Mr. IPOB. But the IPOB that we know is Nnamdi Kanu.”

“Why should we be so concerned about his arrest in Finland when he has destroyed the economy of the South East?”

“You and I know that if his views represent what would bring Biafra, we know that no one would want to be part of that kind of Biafra.”

“We should be very cautious and consider the lives of his brothers and sisters, because Nnamdi Kanu has been consistent and he is the leader of IPOB.”

“Simon Ekpa says he is a content creator, so how can we take him seriously? He should go to Nollywood and deceive people.

“We look at Simon Ekpa as a Nollywood star, as he claims, and it is only in Nollywood that we see content creators,” he said.

“Ekpa style of agitation not for the good interest of the Igbo unity.

He said that all leadership positions in every wing and organ of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo are zoned to states, not individuals.

According to him, currently, the position of the president is zoned to Imo State, as the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu did not complete his tenure.

Okeke-Ogene acknowledged that Chief Iwuanyanwu’s death created a significant vacuum but assured that Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, as an institution of repute, remains intact and undivided, with no leadership crisis.

“The leadership structure and election process for any position within the Ohanaeze Ndigbo are clearly specified in the Ohaneze Ndigbo Constitution” he said.

According to him, they are waiting for the Imo State chapter of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo to elect or appoint a replacement for the Ime-Obi, the highest decision-making body of the socio-cultural group, to complete the Imo State slot.

“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to all organs of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and other stakeholders to remain calm and allow the Ime-Obi to handle the situation peacefully, in accordance with the constitution of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.

“I also urge the Federal Government to take more proactive measures toward the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.

He noted that the present lip service on these issues is seriously impeding the security of life and property in the entire Southeast region, stressing that effective security and stability are crucial for socio-economic growth an development.

He also urged the Southeast governors to collaborate more effectively to enhance security measures that will improve crime-fighting efficiency and sustainability.

He assured that Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo is unwavering in protecting and promoting the collective interests of Ndigbo.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE