BY VICTOR NWEGEDE
IPOB in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Emma Powerful on Tuesday, said, by 'kidnapping' and 'renditioning' Kanu, the country commited international crime, adding, that "the world doesn't need any further proof that IPOB is a peaceful movement."
The group was reacting against a statement credited to Shehu Garba -the Senior Special Assistant to the President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday night, that the arrest and trial of Kanu, would lead to the end of the IPOB.
In the statement, the group said that "the attention of the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the ranting and laughable statement from Garba Shehu, the SSA Media to President Buhari saying that the extraordinary rendition of IPOB leader will lead to the end of IPOB agitation.
"We are surprised at the level of cluelessness and ignorance displayed by Garba Shehu about the operations of IPOB. We therefore, want to assure him and his co-travellers that extraordinary rendition of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will rather destroy Nigeria and not IPOB. By kidnapping and renditioning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Nigeria has commited international crime and must not go unpunished.
"The world doesn't need any further proof that IPOB is a peaceful movement. The kidnap of its Leader by Nigerian Government is a crime that must be punished. So, by this singular violation of international law, Nigeria is in already, but instead of admitting the obvious, its officials are busy playing to the gallery.
"But very soon, the masterminds of this heinous crime will be rounded up and handed over to the international criminal court, ICC, for prosecution. IPOB is not a push-over movement, and we cannot be intimidated. Just very soon, our oppressors will be taught by ICC in the language they understand.
"IPOB remains a non-violent organisation, but has been the victim of the high-handedness of the Nigerian Authorities. The wicked Nigeria security agents have continued their secret genocide against Biafra agitators. But they will pay for their atrocities very soon
"We want Garba Shehu; Mungono; the National Intelligence Agency; and the Attorney-General of Nigeria, Abubakar Malami, to stop displaying their ignorance of international law . They should stop media trial of our Leader, whose matter is already pending in a court of law, because the whole world knew them and understood that Fulani has destroyed Nigeria and the world will not join them to call IPOB a terrorist organisation.
"Mungono must settle terrorists and bandits he encourages and support, to cause havoc in the North-East and West of Nigeria because the ordinary civilians and Christians there, have seen hell from his plots and killings. He should play his politics to salvage his land from the hands of vampires ravaging North-East and West of Nigeria. Mungono, leave IPOB alone and face what is facing you and your people.
"This is not 1970, when the world looked the other way, while they commited mass atrocities in Biafra land. IPOB is getting stronger by Kanu's rendition while Nigeria is headed for destruction."
However, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on Wednesday urged the IPOB to rescind the lock down plan in the South East zone in considering its adverse consequences.
Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide made this know in a statement, pleading with the group to reconsider the 7 days’ sit at home order in the zone from November 5 to November 11,' 'to enable the governorship election for Anambra State scheduled for November 6 to hold.'
Ohanaeze noted that Anambra is the economic live wire of the South East with an impressive steady growth trajectory, gave instances, including the Anambra showcases the best rural road network and rural community development in the region if not in the entire Nigeria.
"Anambra is home to the greatest number of small, medium and large scale industries in the South East. Most recently, Anambra has added a cargo airport to its resource base.
"Above all, Onitsha is the largest market in West Africa. The implication of the above illustration is that Anambra State is the melting pot of Igbo traders and artisans.
"It stands to reason that Anambra is the big Iroko tree that provides a shade for most Igbos. Apart from the shade, it also hosts the numerous birds that perch on the branches.
"Therefore any harm to the Iroko tree will create untold disastrous chain reactions and catastrophe for the Igbo.
"While pleading with the IPOB to rescind the Lock Down plan, Ohanaeze Ndigbo requests the Chairman, South East Governors Forum and the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi to convene an emergency meeting of Igbo stakeholders and the Youth Leaders for the purpose of addressing the legitimacy crisis in the South East, especially as it relates to Anambra State election and the political solution for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
"It is important to point out that one of the causes of the crisis of confidence in the South East is because of the yawning gap between the youths and indeed the masses, on one side and the political leaders on the other.
"Therefore, the leadership of the various youth groups should not be excluded in any meeting aimed at resolving the current crises in Igbo Land. In other words, the Youths want to be fully convinced of our commitment to their plight," Ohanaeze stated.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo also reiterated its solidarity with any group that protests the Igbo alienation in the project Nigeria with a caution for restraint, maturity and wisdom.
'It is based on the foregoing that Ohanaeze adopts the philosophy of dialogue, negotiations in coalition with other concerned groups that comprise the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum led by Chief E K Clarke.
"It is also lamentable that the burial ceremony for the Afara Ukwu born Chief Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi, slated for November 5 in Umuahia, Abia State may be drastically affected by the prevailing Igbo social climate. General JTU Aguiyi Ironsi represents so many things to the Igbo and we owe his soul a duty," the statement added.
Ohanaeze urged the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willy Obiano to convene a joint meeting of the Anambra State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Emeka Udodeme and the Association of Town Union (ASATU) led by Barr. Titus Akpudo with a view to activating meetings in all the 181 towns of Anambra State; advising the traditional rulers, Archbishops, Bishops and the Clergy to brace up in their roles as the cultural and spiritual leaders of society.
It hinted that 'Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is very perturbed that the serenity, tranquility and aggressive entrepreneurship for which the Igbo have been always known are gradually yielding to the unknown dark forces.'?
Ohanaeze said that Ambassador Obiozor has been 'more perturbed when the Anambra ordeal is juxtaposed with the calibre of personages for which the State is known; some of them include Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Dr. Alex. Ekwueme,' others with numerous young and old billionaires.
"In many respects, Anambra is the engine that propels the Igbo enterprise. As elders we should not fold our arms while the goat dies in the tether.
'Ohanaeze Ndigbo is of the conviction that the disruption of the Anambra State election and the adverse consequences are a major setback to the Igbo civilization," the statement concluded.
