Chidi Samuel|
The Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), the separatist group agitating for an Independent state of Biafra on Wednesday barred Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the south-east governor’s forum from speaking for the people of the region.
In a press statement signed Mr. Emma Powerful, IPOB’s spokesman announced the proscription of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Southeast East Governors Forum, describing them as groups peopled by traitors.
According to the group, its recently held successful sit-at-home exercise showed that (IPOB) was the only group that could speak for the Igbos.
The statement read in part, “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.”
“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.”
The Biafra separatist group also 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.
“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, the statement stated.”
“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.”