Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) not to obstruct President Mohammadu Buhari’s planned visit to Ebonyi State if they don’t want their leader, Nnamdi Kanu to remain in prison custody till the end 2023 when another person will succeed Buhari.
Engr. Chidi-Ibeh led Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, issued the warning in a statement signed by the Secretary-General of the group, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro in Abakaliki.
Ohaneze explained that Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi is the for the interest of Ndigbo and instrumental for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, even as they warned that any move by IPOB to obstruct the visit will bring disastrous consequences on the unconditional release of Kanu.
The Igbo group maintained that Buhari as a sitting President cannot be stopped from visiting any state in Nigeria, adding that he will be welcomed in Ebonyi in line with Igbo traditions, culture and norms of welcoming esteemed visitors.
The statement reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has warned that any attempt to obstruct, thwart or hinder the planned President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to Ebonyi State, will have disastrous consequences on the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu and destroy the efforts of Igbo leaders led by Pa Mbazulike Amaechi and religious leadership in Igboland.
“There are no forces and opposition to hinder the rights of a sitting President of a country from visiting any section of the country under his territory and jurisdiction, and those opposing the planned visit of President Buhari are incapable and incompetent of carrying out these rogue operations and if they fail, it will lead to their own extinction and disastrous cessation of existence and relevance.
“IPOB shouldn’t give credence to the antagonism and friction of Northern groups like Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders Forum, Coalition of Northern groups and Arewa Youths that have insisted that President Buhari shouldn’t release Nnamdi Kanu, because this imbecility and absurdity will make President Buhari to decline in actions that will lead to the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Ndigbo will welcome President Buhari to Ebonyi state in line with Igbo traditions, culture and norms of welcoming esteemed visitors, this is another window of opportunities for the ongoing persuasive engagement with President Buhari by Ndigbo, to grant amnesty and Presidential pardons to all IPOB/ ESN and other Biafran agitators including Nnamdi Kanu and others who are languishing in numerous detention facilities across the country.
“Southeast Governors led by Governor Umahi will secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu and others in Abakiliki, we have implicit confidence that the southeast political leadership and Igbo leadership led by Ohanaeze Ndigbo will seal the deal and facilitate the release of Nnamdi Kanu, it’s predestined that Abakiliki is the venue where Ndigbo will secure the release of all detained freedom fighters including Nnamdi Kanu”.
“IPOB should without further delay withdraw their earlier decisions to obstruct the planned Presidential visit to Ebonyi State and disown the earlier provocative statements unless they want Nnamdi Kanu to remain in detention till the end of the year 2023 when another President will succeed Buhari.