Ohaneze Ndigbo distances itself from Nnamdi Kanu's call for a boycott of Anambra elections

PAN-Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohaneze Ndigbo has disassociated itself from Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) leader Nnamdi Kanu over his recent calls for a boycott of the forthcoming governorship elections in Anambra State.

On November 18, Anambrans will go to the polls to elect a new governor with incumbent Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (Apga) standing for re-election. Earlier this week, however, Mr Kanu warned that there will be no elections in Anambra State or anywhere across Igboland until a referendum is held on the vexed issue of Biafra.

Apga has already condemned Mr Kanu for making that declaration, accusing him of behaving like an emperor with the power of life and death over Ndigbo. Ohanaeze Ndigbo's president Chief John Nnia Nwodo, has now added his voice to the debate while addressing members of the Anambra State House of Assembly in Awka yesterday.

Chief Nwodo who was particularly embittered by the call by Ipob for a boycott of Anambra elections in November, said Mr Kanu had breached the undertaking he took before him when he was released from detention. Ohaneze Ndigbo campaigned for Mr Kanu's release from detention and managed to secure his release earlier this year.

 “I’m just being paternal and the way I commended my children is the way I have the right to chastised them when they go wrong. We don’t need this heat up.

“News that reached us in the past few days that Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Ipob has declared that there will be no election in Anambra in November is shocking and disturbing. I hereby countermand that declaration as president-general of Ohaneze," Chief Nwodo said.

He added that whereas Ohanaeze understands the marginalisation and unfair treatment of Igbos which have given rise to self-determination movements, leaders of these movements must not arrogate to themselves the supreme leadership of Igboland. Chief Nwodo said statements of the kind credited to Nnamdi Kanu are provocative, misleading and unproductive.

Chief Nwodo added: "Why should Anambra people be denied the opportunity to choose their own leader? Why should any of us who are not from Anambra, no matter how highly placed, descend to the arena and dictate for Anambra people when to vote, whether to vote or who to vote for?

“Anambra, nay Igbos, are still part and parcel of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Yes, we are not happy with our treatment in Nigeria, yes, some of us want Biafra, yes, some of us prefer a restructured Federal Republic of Nigeria but the fact remains that we are still part and parcel of the present Federal Republic of Nigeria, bound by its laws, no matter how repressive or unjust."

He stressed that the approach to reforms of our laws even if it leads to self-determination or restructuring must be lawful. Chief Nwodo said Ndigbo must convince other Nigerians of their point of view and must strive to make others share their convictions.

“Our language must be civil, respectful and lead to consensus building. We must resist any attempt to turn division amongst us, as to which way we must go, become a source of altercations between us.

“As we speak very many of our people living in Northern Nigeria are in complete awe and consternation regarding how safe they will be after October 1st. Other Northerners living amongst us are also worried,” Chief Nwodo added.