The Igbo Journalists Association (IJA), an affiliate to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has disassociated the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide from the allegation that there are three unnamed South East governors blocking the unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous People's of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from the Department of State Services (DSS's) detention.
Kanu, has been in the DSS custody for over three years since the Federal Government of Nigeria allegedly brought him from Kenya and charged him for terrorism and others. But the Nigerian courts have since discharged and acquitted him.
In a press statement released on Saturday, June 29, 2024, and signed by IJA's National President and Assistant Secretary, Sir Amby Uneze and Charles Ogugbuaja respectively, the association described the allegation as "false, malicious and dangerous," and capable of endangering the restoration of peace and tranquility in the South East geo-political zone of Nigeria.
The group viewed the allegation credited to one Okechukwu Isiguzoro, who self- claims to be the Secretary General of Ohanaeze, as a calculated attempt to bring down the hard earned reputation of the governors of the region, adding that it must be resisted.
IJA opined that it is on record that all the five governors of the zone have been working tirelessly to sustain peace, unity and brotherly co-existence among the people of the zone.
According to the IJA, it is a known fact that the said Okechukwu Isiguzoro, is a usurper and does not represent the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide's interest.
The statement reads: "The public is aware that the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide remains Chief (Dr.) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ahaejiagamba of Igbo land), while Ambassador Okey Emuchay, is the Secretary General. However, every public statement emanating from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, usually comes from the Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia.
"We are not unmindful of the plot hatched by Okechukwu Isiguzoro and his co-travellers to destablize the South East and therefore, warm them forthwith to put a stop to such plans in order to sustain the peace already restored in the region.
"We recall that not long ago the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Iwuanyanwu visited Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in the DSS custody and the two leaders had fruitful and amicable discussions towards the latter's release.
"In the same vein, the five governors of the South East, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, and other leaders from the region have visited President Bola Tinubu and their singular request was on the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
"We therefore, urge the general public to disregard the allegation which is unsubstantiated, puerile, and libelous, more so, when the fabrication is coming from a gullible and quandary character like Isiguzoro," the IJA stated.
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