Ohanaeze Youths condemn IPOB’s attack on Amaechi in Spain; Chides group for issuing ultimatum to Igbos

Ohanaeze Youths on Monday condemned the attack on Chief Rotimi Amaechi by purported members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Spain and urged Niger Delta youths who reportedly demanded for an apology.

Chief Chinedu Arthur-Ugwu, South-South Coordinator of Ohanaeze Youth Council said that the attack purportedly carried out by IPOB was not endorsed by Igbos and was ill advised.

According to him, the attack on Amaechi was an embarrassment to the nation as IPOB was not an organisation that enjoys the support and endorsement of Igbos and urged IPOB to explore legitimate ways of holding public office holders accountable.

He equally condemned the demand for apology by a group of Niger Delta youths who threatened to attack Igbo interests in Rivers if IPOB does not apologise to Amaechi within seven days.

He dismissed the threat to attack Igbo interests as diversionary, baseless and self seeking, adding that youths were expected to build bridges of understanding and friendship across ethnic divides and not resort to inciting comments.

Arthur-Ugwu dismissed the group making the demand for apology as attention seekers who have no understanding of leadership and wondered what the group would achieve by attacking individual economic interests of Igbos.

“We in Ohanaeze wish to say that the recognised umbrella association of Igbos remain Ohanaeze Ndigbo, not IPOB. IPOB is not an Igbo organisation and their ideals go beyond the Igbo race.

“Chief Chibuike Amaechi is an Igbo man and we do not support the attack on his person and the attack will rekindle the real Igbo spirit in him. What IPOB did was wrong and we urge them to find other  legitimate ways of holding our leaders accountable and not resort to illegalities.

“The call by Niger Delta youths to IPOB to apologise or have Igbo interests attacked is provocative and brings back the sad memories of ‘abandoned property’ and we call on Igbos in Rivers state to disregard the threat,” Arthur-Ugwu said.