The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said it would meet
with leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to accept
restructuring instead of secession.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Chuks
Ibegbu disclosed the planned meeting.
Ibegbu said restructuring is the only solution to the
country’s problem, while stating that a delegation will be sent to Kanu.
He said, “Ohanaeze will definitely discuss with him
(Kanu). Ohanaeze has been making efforts to parley with all the pro-Biafra
groups and find a point of agreement with them on these issues.
“Even before now, Ohanaeze wanted to send a delegation to
see him in Kuje Prison. We planned it before he was granted bail. We will
engage him and some of his associates so that we can find a common ground.
He is our son, we understand him and he will understand us. If there are
areas of divergence, we will find ways to address it so that we can work
together.
“At the planned meeting, Ohanaeze intends to make Kanu
understand and appreciate its position, which is the restructuring of the
country, rather than secession. Ohanaeze’s position is restructuring and his
(Kanu’s) position is secession. We will not tell him to drop his desire for
self-determination but we will make him understand that Ohanaeze’s position is
the position of the Igbo people.
“He has the right to
seek self-determination, but we will make him appreciate Ohanaeze’s position,
which is restructuring and social justice. Ohanaeze’s position is the position
of the totality of the Igbo people. We will also make him understand that there
is no need to insult anybody in the agitation, and no need for violence – of
course he has never been violent.”
“Restructuring is the only solution to the problems in this
country. With restructuring, even the issue of corruption would be addressed.
What generates corruption? When the system is suffocating people, when the
system is not properly coordinated, people will be stealing here and there. You
cannot stop corruption by force. Even the issue of lopsided appointments is
corruption. We have to address the fundamental issues.”
By Azeez Adeniyi
