The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has chided the Arewa
Consultative Forum (ACF) for advising Northerners to be cautious of travels to
the South East after the murder of Ahmed Gulak.
Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary, in a statement
said it was unfortunate that Audu Ogbe, who has gained the respect of many as a
detribalized patriot, issued the advisory.
Ogbe said unless the trips are absolutely necessary and of
compelling nature, “like matters of life and death, they should not be made”.
The spokesman condemned the narrative that the South East
has been taken over by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and unknown
gunmen.
Ogbonnia stressed that the gruesome assassination of Gulak
is painful and has been condemned in strong terms by Governor Hope Uzodinma,
Imo people and groups including Ohanaeze.
Ohanaeze hailed the Northern Governors Forum for demanding
that the murder be treated as a criminal act and warning that politicization of
issues surrounding the death could lead to further violence in Nigeria.
Ogbonnia cited the fresh abduction of over 200 school
children in Niger State, killings in Northern States, and wondered why the ACF
singled out the South East as a no-go-area for the Northerners.
“The reference by Chief Ogbe to the “the killings of
northern leaders in 1966 that triggered the events that led to a civil war that
cost the country thousands of lives and an untold sufferings to millions of
innocent people” is to say the least very inflammatory, incendiary,
unreflective and unguarded.
“It should be noted that Igbos have suffered immeasurably in
the current Nigerian dilemma. In Nimbo community of Enugu State, at about 5.15
am on April 25, 2016, the armed herdsmen numbering over 500 struck, killing 54
people.
“The Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi pleaded with
the indigenes to accept the incident as an act of God. On March 30, 2021,
Egedege community in Ebonyi State witnessed a horrendous sight of 18 persons
slaughtered by the Fulani herdsmen.
“Governor Dave Umahi could not withhold his tears as he saw
the 18 corpses of Ebonyi State indigenes killed spread like fish in the cold
room. On Monday, the Commissioner for Capital City Development announced armed
herdsmen invaded Ndiobashi in Izzi land and killed so many of our people.”
Ohanaeze noted that Igbo leaders have repeatedly called for
restraint and warned against reprisal attacks.
Ogbonnia reminded Ogbe and the ACF that it is the federating
capacity of the Igbo, their fortitude and readiness to adapt to every part of
the country, that have served as the salt without which the concept of Nigeria
becomes tasteless.
Ohanaeze rated the statement by Chief Ogbe as baleful and
urged the Nigerian government and patriots to hold Ogbe responsible because his
remarks are capable of rocking the already precarious boat.
“It is strange that the leaders that have gained everything
from Nigeria are always the first to set it on fire”, the statement added.
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