Chief Moses Ofoke (Mosfrank), President General of Ebonyi Unity Forum, Anambra State.
In a strongly worded refutal and disclaimer, the Forum recognized by both the Ebonyi State Government and the Anambra State Government as the sole umbrella body of Ebonyi indigenes resident in Anambra State said the statement allegedly issued by Igwe did not emanate from it and does not represent the position of Ebonyi people in the state.
The controversial statement, attributed to the so-called Ebonyi State Town Union, Anambra State, had claimed that Ebonyi traders were distancing themselves from any protest over the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and were fully aligned with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s insistence on full commercial activities on Mondays.
However, the Ebonyi Unity Forum in Anambra State, under the leadership of Chief Moses Ofoke, the President General, dismissed the claim as a deliberate falsehood.
“We categorically and unequivocally refute, disown, and dissociate ourselves from that statement in its entirety,” the Forum declared.
According to the Forum, there is no known or recognized body called Ebonyi State Town Union, Anambra State, insisting that any individual parading such a platform is an impostor.
The group reaffirmed that Chief Moses Ofoke remains the duly recognized and constitutionally elected President-General, warning that any statement not issued under his authority or through the Forum’s lawful organs is null, void, and misleading.
Taking a hard stance, the Forum accused Moses Igwe of criminal impersonation, deliberate misinformation, and an attempt to sow confusion and division among Ebonyi indigenes trading and residing in Anambra State.
“Issuing a public statement under a false identity and attributing it to a legally recognized socio-cultural body is a criminal act,” the statement said.
The Forum issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Igwe to withdraw the publication and tender an unreserved public apology, warning that failure to do so would attract the full wrath of the law.
It also called on security agencies to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute the alleged impersonator, describing his actions as a threat to public peace and community leadership structures.
While clarifying its position, the Ebonyi Unity Forum stressed that it has not taken any unilateral or blanket stance compelling its members either to participate in or abstain from protests related to the sit-at-home order or market closures.
It emphasized that Ebonyi indigenes reserve the constitutional right to make individual decisions concerning their safety, businesses, and civic participation, free from coercion or false representation.
The Forum also rejected what it described as an attempt to use government appointments, projects, or perceived goodwill as justification to fabricate leadership structures or impose positions on a people.
“Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra State are not political pawns and must not be portrayed as such,” the statement read.
The development comes amid heightened tension in Anambra State following the closure of the Onitsha Main Market and renewed debates over the Monday sit-at-home, which has severely affected economic activities across the South-East.
The Forum reiterated its commitment to peaceful coexistence, dialogue, economic stability, and the protection of lives and property, but insisted that such goals must be pursued through truth, transparency, and respect for legitimate leadership.
It urged the public, media organizations, and government authorities to disregard in totality the statement attributed to Moses Igwe, insisting that only statements issued or expressly endorsed by Chief Moses Ofoke should be regarded as the official position of Ebonyi indigenes in Anambra State.
