As the October 1 deadline issued to Ndigbo approaches, the Igbos resident in the 19 Northern States, Monday, hailed the Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, over its meeting with the Arewa Youths.
Coordinator of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council in 19 Northern States, Chief Obinna Nwankwo, in a statement, described the meeting held in Abuja on Sunday as the first practical step towards halting the planned sack of Ndigbo from the North.
The group said “we have always made it clear that the several meetings convened by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, though looks worthwhile on the surface lacked the capacity to stop this trouble when it starts.
“We said this because the same elders who Osinbajo invited to the Aso Rock Villa had at the wake of the quit notice disowned the quit notice issued by the Arewa Youths. How then would they have the capacity to call these youths to order if they are bent on carrying out their threat.”
Nwankwo stressed that the OYC led by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro had for the first time since the threat was issued, initiated a workable solution to the looming danger.
“There is no doubt that our lives and properties have been in danger ever since that threat was issued. We have for so long expected a situation where the youths are called for a discussion, but rather than do so, what we see is mere condemnations from various groups.
“We, therefore, salute the courage of the OYC for taking this bold step. The Igbo youths have done what the parent body could not do.
“We also commend the Arewa Youths for coming to the negotiating table with its counterpart from the South-East.
“May we, however, caution that any plan by anybody to jeopardize this peace process will be resisted. We now have the feeling that some people are benefiting from this tension.
“This could be the only reason why one Chuks Ibegbu, who said he is the Deputy Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo saw nothing good in this parley with the Arewa Youths.
“Is Ibegbu and his cohort, Odozie Nwodozie, the chairman, Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Abuja, holding the opinion that no effort should be made to safeguard the lives and properties of Ndigbo in the North? What do they benefit from festering crisis?
“As the Deputy Publicity Secretary which he claims to be, why has he taken over the functions of the substantive publicity secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo? Why is he issuing statements with reckless abandon without clearance from anybody for pecuniary reasons? We see his action as one borne out of utter jealousy and envy.
“We the entire Igbo Youths in the 19 Northern States wish to state categorically that we have absolute confidence in the leadership of OYC under Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
“By extension, we equally have absolute trust on the peace process he has initiated with the Arewa Youths. No price is too much for peace and that is why we shall not sit by and watch some persons derail this process.
“At this point, we are sounding a note of warning that should this process be stalled owing to Ibegbu’s reckless utterances, and our people in the North face attack as a result of the collapse of that peace process, he shall be held responsible.
“Any opposition to the leadership of Ohanaeze Youths is indirectly calling for planned massacre and genocide against Igbos in the North and looting of Igbo properties in the 19 Northern States.
“We have uncovered plot by shameless members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to allow Igbos be massacred in the North by trying to interfere in the genuine efforts of national leadership of Ohanaeze Youths.
“We shall not just drag him to court for aiding such attack but posterity will judge him over this mindless action. We are watching and waiting.”
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