Apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has finally reacted to the arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group said it has set up a legal team led by its National Legal Adviser and eminent Igbo leaders.
In a communiqué on Sunday morning after its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, the Ohanaeze noted that this is to ensure fair trial for the IPOB leader.
The communiqué signed by its spokesman, Alex Ogbonnia, added that Ohanaeze identifies with grievances of Igbo youths on the marginalisation and menace of herdsmen among others in the region.
The six-point resolution reads: “That Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has observed with keen interest the recent re-arraignment and consequent trial of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“That, in as much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not averse to his trial, we however submit that he should be tried within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices”.
The communiqué also disclosed that Ohanaeze strongly supports the stand taken by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed 5% share of the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB) for the host communities.
“That we identify with the Igbo youths in their grievances concerning Igbo marginalisation, the menace of the Fulani herdsmen, etc, however, we do not support the use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.”
Ohanaeze, however, appealed to the Igbo youths to be law-abiding and allow their leaders and stakeholders to address those collective grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations.
It further enjoined Ndigbo, especially the youths, to take the ongoing voters’ registration exercise seriously, adding that “this is the only means that guarantees effective participation in Nigerian politics and a sine qua non to achieve our goals and aspirations in the Nigerian project.”
