Igbo Summit: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Extends Invitation to IPOB Leaders

By Christopher Isiguzo in Enugu

Ahead of the restructuring summit being organised by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation at Awka, Anambra State, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) yesterday reiterated its readiness to unleash mayhem at the venue should any Igbo leader attend the summit.

The pro-Biafra group accused the President General of the organisation, Chief Nnia Nwodo, of hidden agenda in putting together the summit, insisting that the group would not accept anything other than a referendum for the rebirth of the Republic of Biafra.

However, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has vowed to go ahead with the all- important summit, and rather asked the IPOB leaders and members to feel free to participate in the summit since it was meant for all.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Emma Powerful, IPOB said the world will today in Awka witness a battle between good and evil, light versus darkness.

It said: “On Monday the 21st of May 2018, at Ekwueme Square in Awka, the long suffering downtrodden people of the East will rise up to say enough is enough. Our 50 years of Fulani captivity, aided and abated by Ohanaeze Ndigbo will finally come to an end. All agents of darkness and iniquity with red caps, recruited by the caliphate immediately after the war in 1970 to serve their interest and enslave Igboland, will be exposed.

However, speaking through its Deputy national publicity Secretary, Mazi Chuks Ibegbu, the Ohanaeze said it would be counter-productive for the IPOB members to attack anybody at the summit.

He said, “We have told them that whatever grievances they have, they should bring it along to the venue.

“Every Igbo has right to come for an Igbo summit, you don’t spoil for war in your father’s land, you do it outside. ‘Imaa gbu onye iga eso kwaa’ (you don’t have to kill someone you will join in burying). If you kill all of us, who will do the burial?

“So, when they come there, what we are discussing is restructuring Nigeria, they are talking Biafra. What they are saying is not different from what we are saying, we are saying, let’s discuss how Nigeria will be better. If Nigeria gets better, they would have gotten what they are seeking in a very easy way.

“But if we discuss the restructuring and there is no agreement, then there will be basis for what they are saying. Saying that we can’t stay as brothers and sisters to discuss, I don’t think it is proper.

“We are begging them not to come and spill the blood of their people. They should come peacefully and make their case, present their grievances.”