Chieftain of the apex Igbo Socio Cultural Group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr. Okechukwu Isiguzoro has urged Igbo’s to accept the election of Ahmed Bola Tinubu at least for now.
In an exclusive chat with EverydayNews Isiguzoro who is Secretary General of a faction of Ohanaeze said “it”s better, while Obi is pursuing his constitutional right, seeking redress for his mandate, Ohanaeze should direct Igbo’s to accept Bola Tinubu at the moment, unti a Court of competent jurisdiction says otherwise.”
He said it will be disastrous for Igbo’s to start now to criticize a government that has not yet been sworn-in; “trying to put some challenges. At the end our brothers and sisters who are outside the East will continue to feel the heat: they continue to demolish their properties in Lagos, they continue to attack them in one way or the other. Some people will hide under ethnic profile and continue to fight against Igbo’s in various parts of the country.
Ndi Igbo, he argued, should not be at the receiving end. “In as much we support Peter Obi to retrieve his mandate from the court; irrespective that it is his constitutional right to seek redress at the Election Tribunal, but we have weighed the Nigerian factor and the circumstances and it is our view that Igbo’s should prepare their minds for any eventuality or any shock that might come out of that tribunal. And you know there is no Igbo Judge in that Presidential Tribunal.
“The best we ought to do is not to carry our eggs in one basket. Since the position of Ohanaeze and the Southern Governors was that power must rotate between the North and South. That Igbo’s will stand against any attempt for power to remain in the North.
“Ndigbo should move ahead. And Peter Obi should start building bridges for the future in case if he fails… we are not wishing he fails. He remains one of the shining stars of the South East; let him start building bridges. He has already begun with the visit to Wole Soyinka.
In as much as he did very well, we commend him for the Obi/Datti Tsunami that swept politicians in the South East out of the way. It’s a good beginning, but at this point in time we are not going to allow what happened in 2015 repeat itself.
“The challenges Igbo’s faced in 2015 was caused by the Ohanaeze leadership led by Gari Igariwey and Dr. Joe Nwaorgu. Also, most decisions they took in 2015 affected Igbo’s negatively in 2019/2023 elections.”
On the leadership issues within the ranks of Ohanaeze, Isiguzoro blamed Peter Obi for being part of the the recent inauguration of Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as President General of Ohanaeze.
He queried why Obi who is seeking justice at the Tribunal should be supporting injustice and illegality in Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Everyone is aware that the adoption of Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the President General of Ohanaeze is illegal.
“He who goes to equity, must go with clean hands. And we ask, Peter Obi’s attendance to Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu ‘s Committee of Friends called Imeobi, does it show that he asked the right questions before attending such function? Tye answer is in the negative.”
