Ohanaeze, IPOB Finally Settle Rift As Amaechi Reconciles Nwodo, Kanu

 

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Chief Nnia Nwodo, and the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have reconciled, with the latter withdrawing his threat to ask his followers to stone the Ohanaeze President-General.

Kanu’s representative, Aloy Ejimakor, confirmed the withdrawal of the threat in a meeting called by a First Republic Minister of Aviation, Mbazuluike Amaechi, to broker peace between Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the proscribed IPOB.

Amaechi had, at the meeting in his house, called on the two parties to sheathe their swords and for both groups to work together.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting in Ukpor Nnewi South, Local Government Area, the elder statesman described as unnecessary any form of altercation between Ohanaeze Ndigbo and IPOB as both bodies were fighting for the welfare of Ndigbo.

Amaechi, the only surviving member of the Zikist Movement, expressed joy over the withdrawal threat by Nnamdi Kanu of stoning Nnia Nwodo, as well as agreeing to work harmoniously with Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the interest of South East Biafrans.

He also revealed that part of the resolutions from the meeting was the demand for the de-proscription of IPOB which he described as illegal, urging the governors and Houses of Assembly in the region to commence action towards lifting the terrorist classification.

The nonagenarian said: “I summoned the two bodies of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and IPOB to express my displeasure with what I have been reading in the newspapers about Kanu giving orders that Nwodo should be stoned by IPOB.

“I am happy that even before this peace meeting, Kanu has retracted the statement. Therefore, we appeal to Nwodo to accept the retraction and get it off his mind and Ohanaeze has endorsed the retraction and IPOB has agreed to work with them.

“The two bodies realising that they are fighting the same battle, including marginalization, killings and denial of Federal Government to develop South East and Igbo land in general, have agreed to work together for the welfare of Ndigbo.”

Kanu's representative, Ejimakor, a lawyer, said he honoured the invitation with the blessings and instructions of his client, just as he thanked Amaechi who he said was not a stranger to what he was doing, having been once declared a terrorist.

He confirmed the retraction of his client’s threats on the Ohanaeze President-General, describing it as one spoken at the heat of the moment.

Ejimakor said, “There’s peace in Igbo land. Anybody coming in to take advantage of some leadership crises in Igbo land is actually making a mistake.”

Speaking on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Anambra state president of the body, Damian Okeke-Ogene, said the body endorsed all that were contained in the communique.

He said: “Those who thought our fences are fallen will know that the fences are much stronger than they thought.”

Nwodo had said he was not deterred by the stoning threat of IPOB as he was determined to continue to offer his best in the service of the Igbo nation.

He spoke when a group of Igbo women paid him a solidarity visit, adding that he rejected pressure from several quarters to make a categorical statement on IPOB’s threat, and instead choose to remain calm.

“This is because Igbo culture forbids a father joining issues with his son. Based on the fact that I am currently the father of the Igbo nation, I reserve my comments against the IPOB leader, hoping he will realise his mistakes,” he said.