By Chiedozie Ogbonnia
The Office of the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been inundated since the fabricated falsehood that the Ohanaeze Retreat on March 27, 2024 resolved to send emissaries to beg the Fulani over the January 1966 military coup.
This is a typical falsehood and a figment of a plaintive imagination, fabricated in the dark, decorated with wings, injected with venoms and hate; and propelled to fly to various corners, fronts and heights in order to create mistrust and taints on the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
The Ohanaeze Retreat which was chaired by no less a perfect gentleman than the former Chief of Naval Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the former governor of Old Anambra and Old Imo States, Admiral Allison Amaechina Madueke, GCON was attended by the target audience comprising the chairmen and members of all the Ohanaeze Committees, association of town union presidents, women’s groups, captains of industry, amongst others. The speakers at the event included Prof Okey Ikechukwu, Monsignor Prof Obiora Ike, Prof Nnenna Oti, Dr Nnaemeka Obiaraeri, Chief Sam Obaji and Dr Mrs Kate Ezeofor. Many questions from the audience were addressed; and a communique was issued (See..https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/681523-ohanaeze-tasks-south-east-governors-security-agencies-on-insecurity.html)
Ohanaeze Ndigbo decided to allow the dignitaries that attended the Retreat to comment on the falsehood, that Ohanaeze intends to beg the Fulani; and we are delighted that over ten persons that attended the retreat have clarified the air.
Dr Harford Ugwu (08035384350), the author of the falsehood, who stirred the hornet’s nest, regretted over what he called a slip of tongue and apologized profusely. As much as one may wonder how such an unimaginable invidious monstrous perversion entered his head, the fact remains that Harford has duly apologized.
Collins Steve Ugwu (07084400909) took part in the Retreat and was shocked at the falsehood in circulation. He issued a statement entitled “On That So-Called Iwuanyanwu/Ohanaeze Voice Notes”. Steve stated that the “well attended retreat did release an official communique that was unambiguous, and never had this sleaze of narratives”. Steve regretted that “the contagion of falsehood gains the wing of leprosy, when people at the speed of disruptive internet science, manipulate and manufacture narratives that can instantly de-robe reputations, destroy foundations and wrestle honesty into the mud”.
Mr Charles Ogbu (08063387514) took part in the Retreat. He questioned whether “the proposed Fulani Begging was discussed before or after the same meeting we all attended? In the words of Ogbu: “I make bold to say that the people who believe that story are those with a bias against Ohanaeze who needed no reason in the first place to denigrate the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization. But my advice to such people is that they should continue. Our people have a saying: ‘egbuo dike na ogu uno, oruzie na ogu agu, achoba dike’”.
The Chairman of the event, Admiral Madueke, according to Sir Victor Udah, fumed over such false fabrication which was designed simply to tarnish the image of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Professor ABC Nwosu wondered why the Igbo will continue to slaughter their leaders on the altar of Nigerian politics. It is either I am the leader or we destroy Ohanaeze.
Major General CRU Ihekire (Rtd.) said, “I categorically state that these claims are false and malicious. I want to make it clear that I have never been associated with any such organization or engaged in discussions regarding an apology for the events of January 15th, 1966. I did not participate in the said military coup, which involved officers and men from various regions, not just the Igbo ethnic group. I hereby warn individuals, groups, or organizations spreading these falsehoods to cease and desist from using my name without authorization with the intention to give credibility to their falsehood. Failure to comply with this warning will result in appropriate legal action.”
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu addressed a press conference where he stated categorically that “Igbos Owe Nobody Apology Over 1966 Coup” https://journalist101.com/2024/05/04/igbos-owe-nobody-apology-over-1966-coup-says-ohanaeze/ and stated that he never contemplated, intended, mulled or canvassed begging the Fulani. According to Iwuanyanwu, “I don’t expect that somebody or a Christian will come out and tell a complete false story against me. I never said anything like that.”
Furthermore, on Sunday May 5, 2024, at 7pm, Mazi Tochukwu Ezeoke of Njeje fame will host a State of the Nation where all Igbo both at home and in the Diaspora will have a one-on-one zoom conversation with Chief Iwuanyanwu.
The worst of the diatribes came from one Nwankwo T Nwaezeigwe, PhD, a professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where he alleged that Ohanaeze Ndigbo received 100 billion naira as Fulani bribe for a kangaroo apology on behalf of Ndigbo for Nzeogwu’s assassination of Ahmadu Bello. One Hundred Billion Naira Bribe!. This is falsehood from the pit of hell. Of course, only an insane professor will maliciously disseminate false information. I leave the general public to assess the said UNN professor and the damages he has done to Nigerian students.
Evidently, we the Igbo destroy the Igbo in diverse ways; and turn around to claim that others are after us. When it was Chief Nnia Nwodo as the President General of Ohanaeze, the same group bombed the house of Nwodo at Ukehe; and pronounced him a saboteur that should be stoned to death wherever he was found. The matter took the author to Chief Mbazulike Amaechi’s house at Ukpor and Chief Amaechi was shocked to discover that they fabricated falsehood against Nwodo. And they apologized. Then Obiozor: Prof George Obiozor drafted the letter with which Chief Emeka Ojukwu was granted pardon. The trio of Obiozor, Chuba Okadigbo and Nnia Nwodo played greater roles for Ojukwu to return in 1982. Then Obiozor was not Fulani. The same Obiozor led the Igbo contingent to the National Constitutional Conference under Jonathan and landmark results were achieved. Obiozor was not Fulani. When the Ohanaeze presidency was zoned to Imo State and the Imo elders presented Obiozor to Hope Uzodimma, he, Obiozor, suddenly became Fulani. Interestingly, as the former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Enugu State, I worked closely with Nwodo and I am in a position to inform that even when the Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha was on seat as the Governor of Imo State, our perspectives were on Obiozor as the man with the needed clout, intellect, global contact and political skills to lead the Igbo. Go and verify. And, Obiozor’s house was burnt; and according to Comfort Obi, Obiozor died before his death. Today, it is Iwuanyanwu….crucify him, crucify him, over a falsehood manufactured by a man who claimed that he was half asleep, half-awake when he informed Prof Obasi Igwe that the Ohanaeze Retreat discussed on how to go and beg the Fulani over the Jan. 1966 coup. Going by the antecedents, after the Iwuanyanwu presidency, another battle will begin with a new President General, by the same gang, with the same approach, the same hysteria and the same reaction. What a pity.
One of the reasons for the March 27, Retreat was to talk to ourselves; for an insightful reflection on our attitudes towards each other; to remind the Igbo “Professors” that the enviable rank of a professor in a university imposes on him a moral rectitude; that a professor should verify information before escalating it; that in other climes, it is the duty of scholars to redeem and not to inflame passions in society; that expletive cantankerous and unscrupulous professors have caused more harm to the Igbo; and that a professor should portray an exemplary life.
There is no doubt that Professor Obasi Igwe and indeed any Igbo should be angry over the news that the Igbo will beg the Fulani. However, Igwe in his reaction betrayed a deep seated hate, malice, animosity, avoidable character assassination, sarcasms and curses against the Ohaneze Ndigbo. Moreover, the Igwe speech which is full of invectives and venom has incited several verbal attacks on the person of the Igbo Leader and his team.
Instructively, it is to be or not to be. If we must be, there is the need for another Igbo Retreat. If we must be, we must surely change our ways. If we must be, it is the Ohanaeze position that this group that has been fighting the leadership of Ohanaeze must be taken for what they are.
Before the 2023 general election, it was the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (comprising Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, the Middle Belt and the PANDEF) led by Chief Edwin Clark that gave Mr Obi presidential campaign a national impetus, and more. This is a recent example where an Igbo body is vital if we must survive in the Nigerian diversity; and more.
Dr Ogbonnia is the National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
