The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) has barred the apex Igbo Socio cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the south-east governors forum from representing the people of the zone.
IPOB in a press release signed by its spokesperson, Mr Emma Powerful announced the proscription of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Southeast East Governors Forum, describing them as groups peopled by traitors.
The group said that the recently held sit-at-home exercise, which it described as very successful had shown that it (IPOB) was the only group that could speak for the Igbos.
Part of the release reads, “By virtue of the overwhelming compliance with the 14th of September 2018 Sit-At-Home order issued by IPOB and the mandate conferred therein as the authentic representative of the people of the east, we the Indigenous People of Biafra do hereby declare the proscription of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and all other gatherings of saboteurs and collaborators operating within Biafra.”
It warned that, “In keeping with the spirit of this declaration, we warn that anybody or group of persons working with Nnia Nwodo led Ohaneze Ndigbo or South East Governors Forum is doing so at their own risk.
“These two groups do not represent the people of the east and lack the popular mandate to do so. Events of September 14, is confirmation that our people have rejected their politics of acquiescence, servitude and slavery.”
IPOB and Ohanaeze Ndigbo have been at loggerheads over the proscription of the former. IPOB had accused Ohanaeze and the south east governors of inducing the federal government to proscribe it.
IPOB in its press release stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo which was formed in 1976 was not formed by Igbos, but by some northern leaders, using some Igbo men, to destabilize the progressive established order under the leadership of Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in the run-up to 1979 democratic rule.
It said, “The few surviving founding members of Ohanaeze will attest to this undisputed fact. To weaken the post war cohesion that still existed among the people of the east, Fulani caliphate gathered their Igbo agents together to destroy the east from within.”
It blamed Ohanaeze for not standing up to fight for the people of the south-east when it mattered, saying that their ineptitude was part of the reason for the proscription of all activities of the group.
“In as much as the people of the east is concerned, Ohaneze Ndigbo no longer exist, but only on paper. Henceforth any public gathering organised by them will be disrupted. The era of traitors and collaborators presiding over the affairs of the people of the east has come to an end,” the release stated.
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