Apex Igbo socio-political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, on Wednesday in Abuja, dismissed the allegation linking a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika (retd.) with Boko Haram Islamic sect.
This would be the first time Ohanaeze would be making a public statement since the findings of the Australian peace expert came to public domain.
While advising President Goodluck Jonathan to “fast track the recommendations of the just concluded National Conference because the resolutions were what the people wanted and it was in nobody’s interest to sit on them.”
The group also stated that it would soon make public its position on the Igbo Presidency in the 2015 general elections.
Speaking with journalists, President-General of Ohanaeze, Chief Gary Nnachi Enwo-Igariwey, stated that the allegation made by Australian hostage and crisis negotiator, Stephen Davis, linking Ihejirika with Boko Haram sect was unrealistic.
He queried, “Why would Ihejirika sponsor people who said they want to Islamise the country? Why will he sponsor people who are killing people, including his own people? Why was he also accused of being brutal to the insurgents and that they were going to report him to the International Court of Justice?
“How can the same people who made the same allegations also accuse him of sponsoring the same people they accused him of killing? We are satisfied with Ihejirika’s service to the nation and we commend him. And we are asking those who are fanning these rumours to desist in the interest of this country.”
On the issue of 2015 Igbo presidency, Enwo-Igariwey said the issue is currently not on the agenda of Ohanaeze. He however added that the decision of the group would be made known at the appropriate time.
According to him, there was no time the group said it hasn’t pushed the idea of an Igbo man being President in 2015.
“We are not looking at Igbo Presidency in 2015. Our decisions would be made known at the appropriate time. There was no time we said we haven’t pushed the idea of an Igbo man being President in 2015,” Enwo-Igariwey said.
On the forthcoming general elections, the Ohanaeze President called on all Igbo to be registered for voting in their places of residence.
This is the basis of our underdevelopment. We reduce everything to ethnic sentiments. The men have been accused, let the security agencies investigate and clear them if found out that they are not culpable.
ReplyDeleteThey are all part of the scheme, so why cant they defend him. Is a pity that learn pple of their caliber can reduced everything to ethnic sentiment. They seems to forget that there are Igbos in other parts of the country too.
ReplyDeleteYes. Let investigation be conducted. But people should also reason with their God given brains
ReplyDelete