Statement on Nnamdi Kanu: Ohanaeze Ndigbo says “mischief makers, impostors, charlatans” used its name

Apex pan Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has dissociated itself from a statement making the rounds on social media platforms, purporting to be the position of the group on the arrest, repatriation, arraignment and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB).

In a statement, Chiedozie Alex. Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, said that the statement was issued by “mischief makers, impostors and charlatans peddling the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to achieve selfish gains.”

He insisted that “Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has not issued any press statement on the matter,” and warned that they will “be compelled to invoke the full weight of the law to deal with the offenders,” if they failed to desist from further impersonating Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Full text of the statement reads:

Ohanaeze hasn’t spoken on IPOB Leader’s Arrest

The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to a publication currently circulating in the media suggesting that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has issued a statement regarding the alleged rearrest and re-arraingment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB).

Ordinarily, we would have ignored the said press release, but silence in this circumstance would mean giving validity to such fallacy by the unsuspecting public.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor has not issued any press statement on the matter. Ohanaeze Ndigbo as the apex Igbo cultural organization does not issue public statements in a hurry.

We hereby dissociate ourselves from the said press release and also warn those mischief makers, impostors and charlatans peddling the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to achieve selfish gains to desist from that shameful misadventure.

In the event of further breach of this warning Ohanaeze Ndigbo will be compelled to invoke the full weight of the law to deal with the offenders.

Chiedozie Alex. Ogbonnia

National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide

June 29, 2021