Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a well-known Igbo cultural and social group, has stated that they do not support the Igbos leaving Nigeria.
According to Akahi News, this occurred as the group urged citizens from the Southeast of the nation to embrace peace in anticipation of the upcoming general elections in 2023.
According to Ohanaeze, its members, like all patriotic citizens, want the next election to be peaceful.
“In order to convey our message, we will travel to the local level; Dr. Peter Mbam, president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Ebonyi chapter, stated, “You don’t equip the young men to go against your political opponents. We want them to see themselves as contestants. That’s what we are talking about.”
Mbam stated that the group believes in the country’s continued corporate existence and opposes any form of violent agitation.
Mbam said at a press conference on Monday in Abakaliki that despite Ohanaeze’s desire for peace, the body opposes all forms of marginalization, including social injustice and mismanagement.
Akahi News understands that the event in Abakaliki was part of celebrations marking the 26th anniversary of the establishment of Ebonyi State in Nigeria and the 62nd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British colonial rule.
Mbam went on to say that Ohanaeze, as a social-cultural organization that represents the interests of the Igbo race both within Nigeria and in the Diaspora, was responsible for protecting Igbo citizens everywhere.
He stated, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as the name suggests, is in charge of protecting Ndigbo Worldwide.Igbo men and Igbo people can be found in every region of the world.
Ohanaeze is in favor of any and all agitations in Nigeria that promote the interests of the Ndigbo and other marginalized groups.We collaborate with all levels of government;the federal, state, and local governments to guarantee that the nation’s citizens receive the leadership they expect.
We want to ensure the protection of their political, economic, and religious interests.We support legal methods for resolving pressing national issues;We oppose Ndigbo leaving Nigeria and support diplomacy and a round-table approach.
We intend to remain in Nigeria.We want a reorganized Nigeria in which social justice, fairness, equity, and equality will take precedence. Additionally, we want a Nigeria in which we will not be treated as second-class citizens.
Because of the numerous life-altering and human-centered projects started and completed by Umahi’s administration, Ohanaeze reiterated its support for and solidarity with Dave Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State.
It read, “After touring the state’s three zones, we took the time to evaluate our governor’s actions in this state.Last week, as part of the celebrations to mark the 26th anniversary of Ebonyi, we did that once more.
“We looked at nine huge projects and came to the conclusion that Umahi has performed beyond our wildest dreams and expectations.
“We were not prepared for what we are now seeing;We will create an environment conducive to his administration’s success and expansion.
We discovered that Ebonyi is the only state where you can sleep with your eyes closed when we examined the governor’s security architecture.
“We are appreciative of the governor’s empathy and sympathy for the less fortunate and his effort to make life meaningful through a series of economic empowerments he gave to youths.”
Additionally, Ohanaeze reiterated their unwavering support for Umahi’s proposal that power shift to the Ebonyi North senatorial zone, stating that this would be in the best interest of all three geopolitical zones that make up the state.
It read, “In Ebonyi, we, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo family, are united.Ideology and philosophy are shared by both of us.We have faith in the senatorial districts.We agree with our governor that the Ebonyi North should take control.
“It began with the Ebonyi North in 1999, moved to Ebonyi Central in 2007, and reached Ebonyi South in 2015. It is in accordance with nature and the law of equity that it should return to the North in 2023,” the statement reads.