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Tag: Ohanaeze

  • Coup: Ohanaeze cautions FG over military operations in Niger Republic

    Coup: Ohanaeze cautions FG over military operations in Niger Republic

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has cautioned the federal government for the proposed plans to deployed the Nigerian military to Niger Republic.

    Ohanaeze expressed concerns over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s request to the Nigerian Senate to invade Niger Republic with Nigerian military and ECOWAS troops.

    A statement on Tuesday signed by it’s Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro, said that such military operations could have adverse consequences for Nigeria as a country.

    “Ohanaeze advised the Nigerian Senate to halt the request and denied President Tinibu’s request to invade Niger Republic will avert waste of human lives and monies meant for general wellbeing of Nigerians.

    “Ndigbo supports the Nigerian opposition to Tinubu’s proposed Military aggression in the neighboring Niger Republic and caution over the potential unfavorable implications of President intervention.

    According to Ohanaeze’s statement, Ndigbo’s primary concern lies in the restoration of constitutional authority in Niger Republic through dialogue and diplomatic channels.

    It questioned the legitimacy of the military junta that deposed the Nigerien President and accuses him of corruption and collusion with Western countries, especially France, USA, and UK to exploit Niger’s natural resources.

    The umbrella body stated that it believes such military intervention to reinstate a deposed leader of Niger Republic, could lead to further instability and potentially worsen the political and social situation in that country.

    Ohanaeze Ndigbo condemned the alleged backing of military regime in Niger, Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso by Russian authorities.

    The organization suggests that these countries are now working together to counter the influence of Nigeria-led ECOWAS regional troops.

    “This assertion implies that President Tinubu’s military operations in Niger Republic could potentially escalate tensions with the ECOWAS member countries and heighten regional security concerns. It is important to note, with Russian alleged involvement and their support to Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso troops to counter President Tinubu led ECOWAS troops will spell doom for ECOWAS member countries especially Nigeria in particular.

    Stating that the governments of USA and UK are encouraging President Tinubu’s actions to combat the military junta in Niger Republic, warned that such military interventions may not bode well for Nigeria.

    While appealing to the Nigerian Senate to halt President Tinubu’s military operations in Niger Republic and reflects its commitment to the well-being of Nigeria as a whole.
    End

  • Coup: Russia backing Niger Junta – Ohanaeze

    Coup: Russia backing Niger Junta – Ohanaeze

    The Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization, has appealed to president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to halt military operations in the Junta led Niger Republic.

    Ohanaeze warned that the military operations in Niger Republic would have devastating effect on Nigeria because the Junta government in the country has the backing of Russia.

    A statement by a factional Secretary-General of the group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, called for a peaceful resolution to the political crisis in Niger Republic.

    He stressed the need for diplomacy and stability in ensuring the overall progress and prosperity of the West Africa region.

    The statement reads partly: “President Tinubu’s military operations in Niger Republic could potentially escalate tensions with the Ecowas member countries and heighten regional security concerns.

    “It is important to note that Russia’s alleged involvement and their support to Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso troops to counter President Tinubu led-ECOWAS troops will spell doom for member countries, Nigeria in particular.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo believes that the governments of the USA and the UK are encouraging President Tinubu to combat the military junta in Niger Republic.

    “However, the organization warns that such military interventions may not go well for Nigeria.

    “It raises concerns about the potential fallouts from these operations, including increased instability, potential retaliation from the Niger/Mali/Guinea/Burkina Faso alliance backed by World Superpowers, and the potential diversion of resources away from pressing domestic issues in Nigeria.”

  • Gov Mbah: Ohaneze faults IPOB

    Gov Mbah: Ohaneze faults IPOB

    Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has faulted claims by the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) that Governor Peter Mbah is militarising Enugu State.

    IPOB made the allegation in a statement issued by its spokesman, Emma Powerful.

    Powerful said militarising and humiliating the people of Enugu State in the guise of ending the sit-at-home order was a wrong approach and unacceptable.

    However, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike told journalists on Friday that there has been no reported case of intimidation or humiliation of Enugu residents by the security agencies deployed to checkmate the activities of hoodlums.

    Okwu, who said Governor Mbah should be commended rather than vilified, noted that the presence of security agencies at strategic locations in the State had built the confidence of residents.

    According to him, a few weeks back, criminals were on a rampage in Enugu, attacking and robbing residents unchallenged. Kidnappers were also on the prowl, instilling fear in the minds of residents.

    “But the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah rose to the occasion and this resulted in the huge deployment of security agencies, including the police and the military.

    “Every Enugu resident can attest to the fact that normalcy has returned to the State, with criminals now having it rough. It is therefore, totally unjustifiable to now turn and accuse the Governor of militarising the State.

    “May we ask: should Enugu continue to be left at the mercy of non-state actors? If the security agencies are after sit-at-home enforcers, why should it be a worry to the IPOB, having disowned the sit-at-home order?”

    Okwu declared that Enugu people were happy with the Governor for restoring their confidence, which he said “is responsible for the failure of the two weeks sit-at-home declared by Simon Ekpa.

    “Enugu people are comfortable with the presence of security agencies; those not comfortable with it might have something up their sleeves.”

  • Presidential Election Tribunal: Uphold unbiased, uncompromised verdict, Ohanaeze tells judges

    Presidential Election Tribunal: Uphold unbiased, uncompromised verdict, Ohanaeze tells judges

    Apex Igbo socio cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has warned the Judges handling the February 25, 2023 presidential election petition Tribunal to be independent by upholding unbiased and uncompromised verdict

    Ohanaeze said this year’s General Elections in Nigeria were marred by allegations of irregularities and non-compliance with electoral laws, which has raised concerns in different quarters.

    A statement signed on Friday by Ohanaeze’s Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro stated that non of adherence to the electronic transfer of election results from polling units to the independent National Electoral commission (INEC)’s central server known as IREV, has further fueled concerns.

    “The lack of adherence to the electronic transfer of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) central server, known as IREV, further fueled these concerns.

    “As Nigerians eagerly await the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), their expectations are high for an unbiased and uncompromised judgment.

    “Additionally, the interpretation of the constitutional requirement for a presidential candidate to win 25% of 2/3 of the states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja is a crucial issue that the judiciary must address.

    According to the statement, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo explores the expectations of Nigerians from the PEPT and emphasizes the consequences of an erroneous judgment in light of recent events such as the Nigerien military coup.

    It stated that Nigerians expect the PEPT to demonstrate impartiality and fairness in its proceedings and judgement, following allegations of irregularities and non- compliance with electoral laws, which Ohanaeze said is crucial for the tribunal to thoroughly investigate and objectively assess the evidence before it.

    The apex body emphased the need of the judges to be independent of any external influence by ensuring that justice prevails, saying that the recent military coup in Niger has served as a reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of upholding the rule of law Nigerians expected.

  • Sit-at-home: Simon Ekpa escapes death in Finland, hospitalised – Ohanaeze

    Sit-at-home: Simon Ekpa escapes death in Finland, hospitalised – Ohanaeze

    Apex lgbo socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has on Sunday disclosed that Simon Ekpa was tracked down in the Espoo city of Finland on 21st July 2023, but managed to evade capture with unbearable and severe injuries.

    Ekpa has been implicated in orchestrating a series of disruptive activities, including the enforcement of a Sit-at-Home order that paralyzed the region for one week, from 3rd to 9th July 2023.

    Recall that Ohanaeze had recently in other to prevent further nefarious activities of Ekpa on the ongoing search for Biafra agitator placed a substantial bounty of $ 500,000 on his head.

    A statement on Sunday issued and signed by it’s Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro accused the Finland-based Biafra agitator being responsible for the recent surge in violence, insecurity, and economic disruption in south-East Nigeria.

    According to Ohanaeze’s statement, the sit-at-home order resulted in significant loss of lives and severely crippled the economic and social activities in the Southeast zone.

    ” In response to Ekpa’s actions, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has placed a substantial bounty of $500,000 on Ekpa’s head, the reward is offered to anyone who can provide useful information leading to Ekpa’s capture and subsequent arrest.

    It stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in collaboration with South-East political leaders, is resolute in bringing Ekpa to justice for his atrocities and alleged sponsorship of armed groups in the region.

    The body stated that recent developments indicate that Ekpa was tracked down in the Espoo city of Finland on 21st July 2023, but managed to evade capture with unbearable and severe injuries.

    “He is presently believed to be receiving medical treatment at an disclosed hospital in Havana, Cuba. It has come to our attention that Ekpa is undergoing urgent plastic surgery in the last 48hours which further emphasizes the need for his swift apprehension.

    “Nevertheless, Ekpa’s allies has been releasing old recorded videos in order to continue to hoodwink his followers, conceal his recent ordeals and near capture, but Igbo mercenaries in diaspora are closing on him.

    Following the imminent threats posed by Ekpa, the self-proclaimed Prime Minister of the Biafra Government in Exile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores the people of Southeast Nigeria to rise up and put an end to his nefarious and infamous activities.

  • Sit at home: Ohanaeze lauds South-east governors, comdenms Abuja meeting

    Sit at home: Ohanaeze lauds South-east governors, comdenms Abuja meeting

    Apex lgbo socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has Commended the South-east governors for showing interest to halt the sit-at-home ordered in zone.

    But Ohanaeze added that the outcome of Abuja meeting with lgbo leaders has shown there is no answers in sight to end the insecurity challenges that had hampered the socioeconomic and social activities in the South-east region.

    A statement signed and issued on Sunday by the Secretary- General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, tackled the South-East governors and leaders adding that the situation at hand is beyond their control.

    According to the statement, the choice of Abuja where lgbo predicaments were discussed makes a caricature of it, as is a clear indication that the conveners and those behind the meetings have lost the control of the South-East to non- State actors.

    “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended the Southeast Governors for showing interest to halt the Sit-at- home orders in the Southeast, but the outcome of their Abuja meeting with Igbo leaders has shown that there are no answers in sight to end the insecurity challenges and Sit at Home order that had incapacitated the economic and social activities in the Southeast.

    “Even one of the Southeast Governors acknowledged that the situation at hand is beyond their control,and the choice of Abuja venue where Igbo predicaments were discussed makes a caricature of it, as it is a clear indication that the conveners and those behind the meetings have lost the control of the southeast to non-state actors and are frightened to convene such meetings in the Southeast, a proof of negligence and defeat”.

    “Ndigbo should know that the solution to end the Sit at Home orders is in the Southeast not in Abuja,In search for peace and to stabilize the Southeast, we have met today (Sunday) with critical stakeholders and nonviolent Biafra agitators on consultative sessions to find out remedies and the best approach to resolve the problem and end it once and for all.

    The body faulted the council of Elders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Prince Richard Ozobu on why should some Igbo Political leaders who have abandoned their States in the East, should now converge in a foreign land at Abuja and resort to help of foreigners to resolve a matter of Igbo affairs with homemade solutions.

    Stating that Biafra agitators should be conscious of the fact that wrecking down the economy of the southeast and killing innocent citizens through Sit a Home Order would never affect the activities of Federal Government in any way.

    It started that the silence of the Past and Present-day Federal Government shows that so far as there is no disruption of oil and gas exploration or threat to national security, Southeast self-inflicted insecurity should go on and devour the Ndigbo.

    “The sit-at-home orders are here in South East not in Abuja and the reasons why those who are opposing the release of Nnamdi Kanu from the Niger Delta and the North, is that they comprehend that some set of political Igbo Leaders are Toothless bulldogs who has lost the control of the southeast to the non-state actors.

  • Ohanaeze slams $500,000 bounty on Ekpa, declares him wanted

    Ohanaeze slams $500,000 bounty on Ekpa, declares him wanted

    The Igbo socio -cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has slammed a whopping, $500, 000 bounty on Finland based factional leader, Simon Ekpa of declaring a second Biafra war in the Southeast.

    Ohanaeze made the allegations  on Thursdsay while announcing a $500, 000 bounty on the Biafra Agitator.

    The group’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro made this known via a statement signed and released by him to pressmen.

    The group appealed to president Tinubu to deploy soldiers to mount road block at every corner of the Southeast.

    The statement reads partly: “We are telling Tinubu that the second Biafra war has begun and he should deploy soldiers to all the nooks and crannies of the Southeast.

    “The Southeast governors need help and Ohanaeze is asking the Southeast governors to defend themselves from external enemies.

    “At this point in time, we can’t allow somebody in far-away Finland to dictate the pace.

    “The government of Ebonyi State and the Southeast must ensure that the terrorist activities of Ekpa are solved in his homeland.

    “What we are saying is that Ekpa has declared a second civil war in the Southeast and anybody with useful information will be given $500, 000.

    ”This is a self-help to ensure that our people get a secure environment.

    “The Southeast governors appear to be weak and they are using the wrong approach in dealing with Ekpa. Our suspicion has been confirmed that what Ekpa is doing is to destroy the economy of the Southeast.”

    Ekpa has been at the centre of the renewed crisis across the Southeast following the sit-at-home he declared.

    The latest sit-at-home had crippled the economy of the Southeast.

    There were reports that some Biafra agitators stormed a market place in Ebonyi on Monday and shot sporadically into the air to scare people away from the market in a bid to enforce the sit at home order.

  • Ohanaeze Lauds Tinubu for appointing Ogalla as chief of Naval staff, says Igbos deserve more

    Ohanaeze Lauds Tinubu for appointing Ogalla as chief of Naval staff, says Igbos deserve more

    A faction of apex Igbo socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has Lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla as the Chief of Naval Staff.

    Secretary- General and of Ohanaeze, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in a statement on Tuesday said Igbos expect more appointments from Tinubu following Ogalla’s elevation as a Service Chief.

    Recall that Tinubu sacked all service chiefs on Monday and appointed their replacements including Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, Chief of Naval Staff, who hails from Enugu State, Southeast.

    Isiguzoro described the appointment as cheering news, stressing that Tinubu should be applauded for respecting federal character in his latest appointment.

    “This is cheering news, and it’s one of Ohanaeze’s expectations that the sacked Service Chiefs had over stayed their welcome and don’t know how to tackle insecurity in the country.

    “Ndigbo applauds the change of guards and the relief of the old Service Chiefs. I charged the new Service Chiefs to use the Carrot and Stick approach in tackling insecurity in the country.

    According to him, “We applaud Tinubu for making an Igbo man the Chief of Naval Staff, which is one of the things that fuel agitations in the Southeast. Ohanaeze commend the president for respecting federal character by ensuring that all the political zones are represented in his appointment of Service Chiefs.

    “This is a reward for hard work, and we are charging the new Service Chiefs to ensure that the insecurity ravaging the country is subdued. We expect Igbos to be more interested in economic policies that will favour us, and the new service Chiefs must use the Carrot and stick approach to resolve the issue of insecurity in the country.

    “Most of the insecurity in the country is hunger-induced, and politicians are influencing a lot of criminalities to create an insecure environment to use the opportunity to tap our natural resources as we see in Zamfara, Niger Delta, and other oil-producing states. This appointment has given a sense of belonging, and the Southeast appreciates this, and he has proven to be a progressive president, and we expect a more infrastructural revolution.

    The Ohanaeze Chieftain added that the appointment came at the right time to arrest oil theft and all the corruption seen in the ministry.

    While raising the President for giving Ndigbo a sense of accommodation and honour for finding one of their beloved son Ogalla worthy of being the Chief of Naval Staff.

  • Aside UK court, FG also after Ekweremadu – Ohanaeze

    Aside UK court, FG also after Ekweremadu – Ohanaeze

    The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has accused the Federal Government of also being after the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu aside the

    Ohanaeze’s spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia berated the Nigerian Government over the travails of  Ekweremadu in the United Kingdom, UK.

    A UK court had sentenced Ekweremadu to nine nine years in prison for organ trafficking and harvesting plot.

    However, Ogbonnia accused the Federal Government of doing nothing to help Ekweremadu.

    A statement by Ogbonnia reads: “They did not treat him like someone who has served meritoriously in this country.

    “Rather, while he was facing the travails, the federal government came out with charges and allegations of corruption and seized his properties.

    “This is a man who has been around you, walked with you for years and when he needed your help, they were busy talking about auctioning his properties.

    “All those things indicated that it was not only the UK court that was after him, but the FG was also after him.”

  • Ohanaeze talks tough, declares Simon Ekpa dangerous terrorist

    Ohanaeze talks tough, declares Simon Ekpa dangerous terrorist

    The Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo on Tuesday condemned self-styled Biafra agitator, Simon Ekpa, describing him as one of the most dangerous terrorists in Africa operating from Finland.

    Ohanaeze’s Secretary-General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro said Ekpa and his paymasters can’t force Igbos into a civil war.

    In a statement, Isiguzoro described Ekpa as an enemy of the Igbo nation while distancing itself from the formation of the unity government.

    Isiguzoro said, “Ohanaeze worldwide views with great distaste and condemnation” the purported declaration by Simon Ekpa, leader of the Ekpa Killer Squad (Autopilots) as a “Biafran Prime Minister in Exile”.

    “Indeed, this latest episode, an orchestrated attempt by the Finland-based Igbo enemy, who has made himself a ready tool in the destruction of Ala-Igbo can only be blamed on his “deliberate pampering” by the Finnish and Nigerian Governments after detailed reports of heightening terrorism from his Finnish base, including reports from a Finnish journalist, who was in Enugu this February to personally interview families of victims of his terror attacks, which he boldly affirmed on Finnish Television was presented to the Finnish Government.

    “Ndigbo has rebutted and renounced in strong terms the formation of a purported Biafra Government in exile, by Simon Ifeanyi Njoku Ekpa who is seen as the greatest enemy of Ndigbo in the last 200 years and one of the most dangerous terrorists in Africa and operating from Finland, if the Nigerian Government fails to check this ugly development, Ekpa’s game-plan is to plunge Nigeria into another undeserved Civil War.

    ”Ndigbo are now given a standing order to capture Ekpa dead or alive, he must not be allowed to escape justice as the leader of the most dreadful killer squad in the Southeast whose sole aim is to destabilize the Southeast with his satanic agenda of leading another Civil War against Nigeria.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Ndigbo can never be pushed into fighting another war, regardless of the provocations of Ekpa and his paymasters who surprisingly are hurt by the ongoing fraternity existing between Ndigbo and their Yoruba siblings and are hell-bent on thwarting it.

    “From declaring a 5 Day sit-at-home in the South-East during the Presidential election to the declaration of Sit-at-home in Lagos, Ekpa has only one agenda- the destruction of Ala-Igbo, to fulfil his paymaster’s political ambitions.

    “Indeed, his latest drama is aimed at distracting the Labour Party, LP, Presidential candidate from the pursuit of his Pan-Nigerian mandate at the election tribunal by questioning his belief in Nigeria when his people are pressing on with Biafra and now have a “Prime Minister in exile.”

    Ohanaeze urged the Nigerian and Finnish Governments to delay no further in extraditing Ekpa to Nigeria to face prosecution for crimes against humanity.

    “That is the only thing that will be a deterrent to Ekpa and his co-travellers,” he added.