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Tag: Ohanaeze Ndigbo

  • Don’t join protest against Tinubu – Ohanaeze begs Igbos

    Don’t join protest against Tinubu – Ohanaeze begs Igbos

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has pleaded with Igbos not to join the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

    According to Ohanaeze in a statement on Monday, said the planned nationwide protest is an outcome of the current hardship in Nigeria which is “the comeuppance of Igbophobia”.

    Recall that popular activist, Omoyele Sowore had urged Nigerians to file out on August 1 to protest against the hardship and current state of the nation.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo made its position by the National Publicity Secretary of the organization Alex Ogbonnia.

    The statement reads, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo seizes this opportunity to reiterate our position with respect to the widely publicized nationwide protest scheduled for the days of August, 2024.

    “On February, 20, 2024, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR; OFR; CFR; FNICE; FNSE; FNIST; KSG (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) directed the Igbo not to join in the protest against President Bola Tinubu.

    “The Igbo Leader explained that “Igbo youths and youths from other ethnic groups at various times expressed their dissatisfaction with events in the country. It is clear to us that when youths from other tribes of the country are involved, they are reprimanded and forgiven; but when the Igbo youths are involved they are arrested, incarcerated and even charged for serious offences. For example, the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu generated a lot of problems for the Igbos” amongst others.

    “Emphatically, the current hardship in Nigeria is the comeuppance of Igbophobia. It is an unavoidable outcome of an orchestrated injustice, marginalization, callous conspiracies, corporate shenanigans and ethnic bigotry against the Igbo.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a firm wicket based on reason, history and experience, to state that “there can never be peace, progress and national development when there is a deliberate government policy of injustice, tantrums and brimstones against a vibrant, capacious, resourceful, resilient and populous ethnic group such as the Igbo.

    “On Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the occasion of one year in Office of Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo condemned the persistent aversion to the people of southeastern extraction, which he described as Igbophobia. Obasanjo added that unless Nigeria throws its doors open to merit and full inclusion of the Igbo in national affairs, the country will continue to flounder and grope in the dark.

    “Finally, the Igbo are once again requested not to join the forthcoming nationwide protest. When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed about 15 service chiefs in Nigeria and Igbo was secluded, did the lopsided policy abate the security situation in Nigeria? And have we died? And many more? It was Robert Schuller who posited that “Tough times never last but tough people do.”

     

  • Ohanaeze warns Igbos against joining Planned nationwide protest

    Ohanaeze warns Igbos against joining Planned nationwide protest

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on  Igbos to refrain from joining the planned nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu’s government.

    Ohanaeze said the planned nationwide protest is an outcome of the current hardship in Nigeria which is “the comeuppance of Igbophobia”.

    It would be recalled  popular activist, Omoyele Sowore had urged Nigerians to file out on August 1 to protest against the hardship and current state of the nation.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo made its position on the protest known in a statement released on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogbonnia.

    The statement reads, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo seizes this opportunity to reiterate our position with respect to the widely publicized nationwide protest scheduled for the days of August, 2024.

    “On February, 20, 2024, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR; OFR; CFR; FNICE; FNSE; FNIST; KSG (Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo) directed the Igbo not to join in the protest against President Bola Tinubu.

    “The Igbo Leader explained that “Igbo youths and youths from other ethnic groups at various times expressed their dissatisfaction with events in the country. It is clear to us that when youths from other tribes of the country are involved, they are reprimanded and forgiven; but when the Igbo youths are involved they are arrested, incarcerated and even charged for serious offences. For example, the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu generated a lot of problems for the Igbos” amongst others.

    “Emphatically, the current hardship in Nigeria is the comeuppance of Igbophobia. It is an unavoidable outcome of an orchestrated injustice, marginalization, callous conspiracies, corporate shenanigans and ethnic bigotry against the Igbo.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands on a firm wicket based on reason, history and experience, to state that “there can never be peace, progress and national development when there is a deliberate government policy of injustice, tantrums and brimstones against a vibrant, capacious, resourceful, resilient and populous ethnic group such as the Igbo.

    “On Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the occasion of one year in Office of Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo condemned the persistent aversion to the people of southeastern extraction, which he described as Igbophobia. Obasanjo added that unless Nigeria throws its doors open to merit and full inclusion of the Igbo in national affairs, the country will continue to flounder and grope in the dark.

    “Finally, the Igbo are once again requested not to join the forthcoming nationwide protest. When President Muhammadu Buhari appointed about 15 service chiefs in Nigeria and Igbo was secluded, did the lopsided policy abate the security situation in Nigeria? And have we died? And many more? It was Robert Schuller who posited that “Tough times never last but tough people do.”

  • Ohanaeze disowns Igbo Easter retreat scheduled for Asaba

    Ohanaeze disowns Igbo Easter retreat scheduled for Asaba

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has disassociated itself from the proposed Igbo Easter Retreat in Asaba, Delta State, saying the retreat were not from them.

    Dr Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, stated this in a statement on Thursday in Enugu.

    According to him, the attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to a mischievous flyer in circulation, inviting the general public to Asaba, Delta State, for an Igbo Easter Retreat holding between March 30 and April 2, in the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

    He said the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo would have ignored the hare-brained “Igbo Easter Retreat” as the highest mark of rascality and insensibility, but since silence may be misconstrued by the gullible public as giving validity to an orchestrated aberration, hence, this rebuttal.

    Ogbonnia said Ohanaeze Ndigbo noted with dismay that the mischief makers, impostors, charlatans and media navigators who masquerade on the invaluable footprints of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for narrow, perverse and illicit interests fail to appreciate the profound emotional attachment the Igbo owe to Ohanaeze.

    The national publicity secretary stressed that such a sacred Igbo identity should not be desecrated on the whims, caprices, rascality and exuberances of some social deviants and wary transgressors.

    He said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo held an Igbo Retreat with the theme “Ako bu Ije” at the Old Governor’s Lodge, Enugu, on Wednesday, March 27, and the retreat was chaired by Admiral Allison Madueke (Rtd).

    “The retreat attracted eminent personalities from all walks of life, including the governor of Enugu State, represented by his Deputy, Ifeanyi Ossai.

    “There were paper presentations by reflective scholars such as Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, Monsignor Obiora Ike, Prof. Nnenna Oti, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr Domnic Okechukwu, Dr Sam Obaji, Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, among others,” he said.

    He said it was insensitive for a genuine Ohanaeze Ndigbo to organise a retreat on Easter Saturday and Monday when the predominant Igbo Christians and elders should be in their various communities and residences for the Easter celebration.

    “The mischievous Asaba flyer regrettably carries names of Igbo professors. It will be indeed most inconceivable of a genuine professor or any other person to portray ignorance that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo which resides in Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu as the President-General.

    “The good people of Delta State and the general public are hereby notified that appropriate security agencies have been duly alerted about the unscrupulous marauders whose sole aim is to upset, disarticulate and torpedo the peace and tranquility for which Asaba town is known.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide dissociates itself from the hair-brained Easter Retreat at Asaba. We further caution that anybody attending such an event is doing so at his or her own risk,” Ogbonnia said.

  • Ohanaeze mourns Asagba of Asaba

    Ohanaeze mourns Asagba of Asaba

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has described the late Asagba of Asaba in Delta, His Royal Majesty, Prof Chike Edozien, who passed on at 99 as an “Igbo trail blazer”.

    In a statement signed by Dr Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of the group on Friday in Enugu, it said Edozien  led the Asaba people with “unassailable exemplariness, courage, moral rectitude and tenacity”.

    It would be recalled that the news of passing away of the traditional ruler and professor of medicine, broke out on Feb. 7.

    “Asagba was a rare gem who displayed accomplishments both in his chosen fields of endeavor and also in the cultural and traditional duties imposed on him by the circumstances of his birth.

    “In him, was an exceptional blend of the finest Igbo tradition and modernism,” he said.

    He said the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, was in a deep sorrow over the death of Edozien at a time his wise counsel was most needed.

    “He lamented the rate at which Igbos are losing the finest of the brains that make Ndigbo thick and extolled the unassailable noble character of the late Asagba.

    “The memories of Asagba shall always be remembered as a role model worthy of emulation.

    “One of the most amazing of the Asagba mystique is the unique capacity to harmonise the diverse interests and ethnic groups that are resident in Asaba, the Delta State capital and the burgeoning Asaba modernity with the cultural values of the ancient Kingdom.

    “And above all, his hock with the grassroots in spite of his intellectual zenith, nobility and meritorious public service.

    “The above sublime attributes of his Majesty have found full expressions in the serenity and investment-ambience of Asaba since he ascended the throne of his forefathers over 30 years ago.

    “His reign has catalyzed the transformation of Asaba into a vibrant social and investment hub in the South- South of Nigeria,” the spokesperson said.

    Until his death, Asagba was a member, Presidential Advisory Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

    While we look forward to a befitting burial, Iwuanyanwu urges Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, the Governor of Delta State and President Bola Tinubu, to immortalize Edozien as a veritable source of inspiration to the younger generations.

    “The Igbo leader condoles the immediate family of His Majesty, the government and good people of Delta State for this irreparable loss,” Ogbonnia said.

    Edozien was born on July 28, 1925 and at a very young age of 37 rose to the enviable rank of a university professor and Dean, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ibadan and subsequently the chairman; Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos.

    He was the Foundation scholar, University of Benin; Professor of Nutrition, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA; Head, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health and a Professor Emeritus, University of North Carolina, USA; among others.

  • Obasanjo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in closed door meeting

    Obasanjo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in closed door meeting

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has held a closed door meeting with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, but the outcome was not made public.

    The Secretary-General of the apex-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Amb. Okey Emuchay, disclosed this in a statement made available to NAN in Owerri on Saturday.

    Emuchay stated that the Friday meeting took place in the group’s President-General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s Owerri residence.

    “The former president and elder statesman discussed issues of mutual interest with Ohanaeze chieftains at the meeting,” he stated.

    He described the meeting as “very symbolic and crucial”, adding that “we had fruitful deliberations”.

    He expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting would soon manifest and would be appreciated by Igbo people worldwide.

    The statement read in part: “Issues of mutual interest were discussed.

    “Our president-general informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria should erect monuments in his name for the sacrifices he has made.

    “He recalled Obasanjo’s role in ending the civil war with the slogan ‘no victor, no vanquished’,” he said.

    Iwuanyanwu was also quoted to have lauded Obasanjo’s patriotic and diplomatic initiatives as president that resulted in the country’s debt cancellation as well as his administration’s rejuvenation of the economy.

    “He assured the former president that the Igbo people would bestow a befitting honour on him at an appropriate time for his love for the region.

    “Remember that when Chief Obasanjo was president, he appointed several Igbo sons and daughters into high positions in his cabinet.

    “A sense of belonging was provided to the Igbo nation during that time,” Emuchay added.

    Obasanjo was said to be accompanied on the visit by Otunba Oyewole Fasawe.

    Also at the meeting were some Igbo leaders and Ohanaeze chieftains, including Emuchay; former Minister for Aviation, Amb. Kema Chikwe, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of Methodist Church Nigeria, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu and Chief Tony Ukasanya.

    NAN reports that Iwuanyanwu has been in the vanguard of the struggle for Igbo cause and had of late championed efforts to end the incessant attacks on Igbo residents and traders in Lagos.

    He has also persistently called for an end to the alleged marginalisation of the region and unconditional release of the Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, from incarceration.

  • Nwabueze’s burial committee inaugurated as family rolls out programme

    Nwabueze’s burial committee inaugurated as family rolls out programme

    Preparations for the burial of late legal luminary and statesman, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, got underway on Tuesday, December 12, with the inauguration of the national burial committee co-chaired by former Commonwealth Secretary-General and chairman of The Patriots, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
     
    Prof Nwabueze, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and pioneer Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, died on Sunday, October 29, in his Lagos home at the age of 91.
     
    The Nwabueze family had earlier announced members of the burial committee to include Anyaoku and Iwuanyanwu (co-chairmen), Senator Ben Ndi Obi (vice-chairman), Ambassador Okey Emuchay and Mr. Olawale Okunniyi (co-secretaries), Mr. Damien Obiefule (Assistant Secretary), Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu, Dr. Tunji Abayomi, Chief Emeka Ngige (SAN), Barrister Chijioke Okoli (SAN) and Mr. Ikechukwu Amaechi.
     
    Others include Mr. Arinze Oduah, Chief Ben Egonu, Professor Ikenna Alumona, Chief Chukka Ifejika, Prof Elochukwu Amucheazi, Hon. Somto Udeze, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah, Nnenna Okwuosa, Mr. Jenkins Alumona, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna.
     
    A statement by Ikechukwu Amaechi, chairman of the media and publicity sub-committee, on Tuesday, said the burial programme of the revered constitutional lawyer will take place from February 23 to March 5, 2024; commencing with a court session in his honour on Friday, February 23.
     
    This will be followed by Day of Tributes in Lagos on Saturday, February 24 and on Monday, February 26, the Eminent National leaders of Nigeria, popularly known as The Patriots, will organize a colloquium in Lagos.
     
    Thereafter, the burial activities will shift to the Southeast where Ohanaeze Ndigbo will organize a Day of Tributes on Tuesday, February 27, in Enugu.
     
    Mr. Jenkins Alumona who spoke on behalf of the family said the remains of Prof Nwabueze, the Oduah Afo-na-Isagba of Atani, will be interred in his Atani country home in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State in what will be a traditional private ceremony.
     
    The reception and celebration of the worthy life of Prof. Nwabueze, former Minister of Education, will take place in Atani on Saturday, March 2. This will be followed by a three-day traditional burial rites from March 3 to March 5.
          
    The inaugural meeting which took place at the FRA Williams Chambers, Ilupeju, and chaired by Chief Anyaoku, also had in attendance Ikechukwu Amaechi, Wale Okuniyi, Senator Obi, Jenkins Alumona, Arinze Oduah, Chijioke Okoli, Damian Obiefule, Mrs. Nkechi Chukwurah and Nnenna Okwuosa. Other members joined virtually.
     
    Prominent members of The Patriot including Prof. Anya O. Anya, Senator Bassey Henshaw, Chief Ralph Obioha, General Ike Nwachukwu, Prof Remi Sonaiya and Prof. Anthony Kila were also present at the inauguration.
     
    Chief Anyaoku, in his opening remarks, enjoined all to work towards giving the late Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) awardee, who became a SAN in 1978 strictly on the basis of his published works, a befitting burial.

  • Again, Ohaneze appeals for Kanu’s release, amnesty for IPOB members

    Again, Ohaneze appeals for Kanu’s release, amnesty for IPOB members

     The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has, again appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
    Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide,  made the appeal in a statement on Tuesday in Enugu.
    Iwuanyanwu said incarceration of Kanu had “created unnecessary excuse for terrorism in a region whose people had, hitherto lived in peace and pursued their occupation wherever they were with patriotic zeal”.
    He added that his release would be a “highly prized Christmas Gift to the Igbo and other Nigerians committed to a peaceful and secure country”.
     “I want, on behalf of all Igbo worldwide, to appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his good office to direct for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
    “Kanu’s case is well known to all Igbo and Nigerians. It is the belief of many that the release of Nnamdi Kanu does not constitute any threat to our democracy or social cohesion and peace.
    “Besides, a Nigerian Court has passed a judgement directing that  Kanu should be released. Many Nigerians from the 36 States and Abuja have also made appeal for his release.
    “As the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the leader of Igbo worldwide, I brought this matter up at a joint meeting of South-South, South-West, South-East and Middle-Belt of Nigeria and they unanimously endorsed that Kanu should be released”.
    He said he was making a passionate appeal to Tinubu to assist to procure the release of Kanu.
    “I further advocate that in addition to the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the Federal government should adopt a non-kinetic approach to the security problem in the South East.
    “God bless and protect our President; God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Igbo leader prayed.
  • Ohanaeze slams Bode George over anti-Igbo comments

    Ohanaeze slams Bode George over anti-Igbo comments

    The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has maintained that many houses built in Lagos were erected on a swampy area.

    The body made the remark while berating Chief Bode George over his criticisms that Igbos built houses and developed Lagos State.

    Ohanaeze added that the PDP chieftain’s position was riddled with “unstatesmanly and bigoted lines.”

    Recall that George  posited that  it was disheartening and unpatriotic that despite the challenges facing the country, it was ‘who owns Lagos’ that some people were preoccupied with.

    He said: “Why couldn’t the Igbos focus on developing their own states instead of Lagos? What stops Iwuanyanwu from developing the Igbo land instead of developing Lagos?”

    Reacting, Ohanaeze in a statement by its spokesman, Dr Alex Ogbonnia said: “Any person who knows Lagos will agree with the Igbo leader that some of the Igbo properties are standing on what used to be swamps.

    “The George theory will also query why other Nigerians are obligated to the development of Abuja to give it the required international status.

    “For Bode George to suggest that the Igbo erred by contributing to the development of Lagos is not only un-statesmanly, bigoted, narrow-thinking and self-serving but stands at variance with the ethics and decorum of a man who has benefited immensely from the corporate existence of Nigeria.

    “George alluded to the prevailing pervasive poverty in the country and in his judgment, believes that destruction of peoples’ property in Lagos is an antidote to poverty.

    “Ohanaeze has watched with dismay, the selective vocality of Chief Bode George; when many parts of the Alaba International Market were destroyed, George was mute. When there was intimidation of voters in Lagos State, George was mute, among several others.”

  • We’ll soon expose S’East govs, senators working against Nnamdi Kanu’s release – Ohanaeze

    We’ll soon expose S’East govs, senators working against Nnamdi Kanu’s release – Ohanaeze

    The apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has claimed that two Southeast governors, senators, and Igbo leaders are among those working against the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

    Ohanaeze alleged that those identified want Kanu transferred to Kuje Prisons instead of being released due to the upcoming Anambra governorship elections.

    According to the apex Igbo sociopolitical organisation, those working against the release of Nnamdi Kanu will be exposed  in no time.

    The factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said among these groups are some leaders of Biafra agitators who have resorted to criminalising the Biafra struggle through hysteria and violence, seeking quick fame and fortunes.

    A statement by Isiguzoro reads partly: “Additionally, political elites, including two Southeast governors, senators, and Igbo leaders, are working behind the scenes to ensure that Nnamdi Kanu is only transferred to Kuje Prison instead of being released outright, citing the upcoming Anambra gubernatorial elections.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo passionately calls on President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu by dropping all charges against him and allowing him to immediately return to the United Kingdom after his release.”

  • Ohanaeze calls on FG, National Assembly for the creation of new states in southeast

    Ohanaeze calls on FG, National Assembly for the creation of new states in southeast

    The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, on Tuesday appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to ensure that a new state is created in  southeast in order to address the injustice of the region having only five states.

    Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu,  the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, who stated this while briefing journalists in Owerri, also said the organisation will have no choice but to seek a proper interpretation of Nigeria’s constitution in court if the Federal Government fails to respond positively to this request.

    Iwuanyanwu said “Ohaneze is concerned about the obvious inequality and injustice manifested in the recent appointment of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). Altogether, 48 members were appointed and sworn in, but only five were appointed from the southeast, By the principle of Federal Character, the Southeast ought to have gotten at least eight ministers.

    “This action has put the southeast in an absolute minority in the Federal Executive Council. For the avoidance of doubt, the Ohaneze Ndigbo stands for equity and justice. Ohaneze-Ndigbo believes that equity and justice are fundamental prerequisites for an enduring harmonious relationship in a country such as Nigeria with many diversities, The Federal Character enshrined in our Constitution is a major step towards the management of Nigeria’s many diversities.

    “We have, in the past few years, patiently watched some people in authority deny the Southeast our rights. For example, there is no explanation whatsoever for giving Southeast five states only, whereas other zones have six or Seven States.

    “This situation has put Southeast in a very serious handicap. For example, many appointments are made based on the equality of states. On this premise, Southeast has lost a lot of appointment opportunities.

    “In the legislature, Southeast has lost a whole State legislative assembly, the Federal House of Representatives, and three senators. The impact of this is also felt during the presidential primaries, where delegates are drawn from states and local governments.

    “We have also incurred a lot of financial loss in the past 30 years as revenues are allocated based on equality of state.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Southeast is committed to the peace, progress, and development of all parts of Nigeria; we, therefore, appeal to the President and the National Assembly to look into our case and ensure that the National Executive Council is adjusted to reflect the Federal Character.”

    Ohaneze, while demanding that action be taken to create a new state in the Southeast in order to address the injustice of the Southeast having only five states, said, “Some of the reasons given by some political leaders are that the Southeast did not vote for them during their elections. In the course of the trial by the judiciary, Nigerians will be told clearly whether denial of opportunities should be regarded as legitimate punishment for a group who did not vote for a political leader.

    “If the Federal Government fails to respond positively to this request, Ohaneze Ndigbo will have no choice but to go to court to seek a proper interpretation of our constitution.”