OPC Labels Nnamdi Kanu A "Nonentity"

The Reformed Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, has described leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu as a “nonentity” for berating former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu.

In a statement by the National President, Dare Adesope, the group warned that it will no longer sit back and watch Kanu insult Yoruba elders.

The group also described the IPOB leader as a man alien to respect for elders.

The statement reads, “The OPC also supports the genuine aspirations of all self-determination groups who pursue their aims through non-violent means.

“The Nigerian constitution and several international charters, to which the country is a signatory to, recognise the right to freedom of association by anybody, whether individual, corporate or institutional.

“However, in supporting such agitations, we must not shy away from rebuking Nnamdi Kanu for the aspersions he has been casting in the direction of our revered leaders.

“Kanu’s repeated condemnation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and others is condemned in the strongest possible terms.

“The idea of respect for elders might be alien to Kanu and his ilk, but it is a fundamental part of the Yoruba culture and tradition and we cannot afford to overlook such transgressions.

“We therefore use this medium to warn Kanu and other such individuals who are fond of making careless comments in relation to our leaders; that OPC will no longer sit back and allow this bunch of nonentities to disrespect our leaders or to use them to score cheap political scores.”

By Seun Opejobi

We Only Need Biafra If Restructuring Fails - Ohanaeze Fires Nnamdi Kanu

The Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has cautioned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, over his agitation for Igbo nation, saying Biafra will only be needful if restructuring of Nigeria fails.

Ohanaeze insisted that a restructured Nigeria is better than secession for Biafra, adding that elders of the organization stand for a united Nigeria.

The group said Igbo elders believed that a restructured Nigeria will serve the Igbos better than a new country of their own.

In a statement released by the organization’s National Deputy Publicity Secretary, Chuks Ibegbu, the group said: “There is a raging debate on whether Igbo want Biafra, restructuring or referendum. Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s position has been constant and clear.

“It advocates that a restructured Nigeria with justice and equity will serve Ndigbo more than secession.

“It took into consideration the past, present and future before arriving at this crucial decision. Good enough, key voices in Nigeria are keying in to this mood.

“Referendum is not a bad idea, but it’s not a tea party either. It is an option that will be more potent, if restructuring clamour fails.

“Our children in IPOB and MASSOB, though with genuine grievances, need to be on the same page with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Our son, Nnamdi Kanu, has done well in heightening the mood of Ndigbo in Nigeria, but there must be some caution and restraint on the strategy and methodology.

“Biafra of the mind is not a bad idea, but a physical Biafra at this point in time need a very deep retrospection, introspection and analytical brainstorming which is not decided in the market. It is only more plausible if the event of 1966 repeats itself in Nigeria.

“Chief Nnia Nwodo and the new Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership is poised to aggregate the diverse views and opinions of Ndigbo and synthesise an option that will ultimately give Ndigbo their desired leverage in Nigeria.

“While diplomatic tact and pressure is not out of place in this, superior arguments that will not jeopardize the position and future of Ndigbo will be more attractive.”

By Seun Opejobi

Nnamdi Kanu's Trial Adjourned To October

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the ongoing trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

DAILY POST reliably gathered from a source that the court adjourned the ongoing trial of the IPOB leader to October 17 because it’s on “recess.”

Kanu alongside three others: David Nwawuisi, Benjamin Madubugwu and Chidiebere Onwudiwe are facing treasonable charges before the Justice Binta Nyako-led court.

Recall that the Justice Nyako, who had in April granted Kanu bail on health grounds with 12 conditions, and had fixed today for continuation of the trial.

Justice Nyako in her ruling had listed the bail conditions to include, “Produce three sureties and two of whom must be; (a) highly respected and recognized Jewish leader and (b) highly placed Igbo person such as a Senator. The third surety must be resident in Abuja with a landed property in the same Abuja. Above all, the three sureties must deposit one hundred million naira (N100million) each.

“Barred from attending any rally and granting any form of interview.

“Must not be in a crowd exceeding 10 persons.

“Must surrender his British and Nigerian passports even when these passports are still in the custody of the DSS.

“Must sign an undertaking to avail himself for trial at all times.”

However, the IPOB leader is seen to have flouted some of the bail conditions, as has since been addressing the press and seen in company of more than 10 people.

IPOB has, however, dismissed reports of Kanu flouting his bail conditions.

By Seun Opejobi

Enugu Archbishop Warns Nnamdi Kanu Against Divisive Utterances

The Head of the Enugu Province of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma has sounded a note of warning to the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over the statements he had made since he was released from detention on bail.

According to him, Kanu must watch his utterances.

In an interview with the SUN newspaper, Chukwuma advised the IPOB leader to seek the advice of elders so as not to derail even as he reviewed the the polity and declared that nobody should drag the country into another war.

He said: “IPOB should know that if they want to get the blessings of the elders and some of us, they should be cautioned in the way they act. Otherwise, if we back out from them, they will lose relevance.

“Since Kanu came out, has he come to see me? But we fought and talked about him. All he does is to be talking about Judaism. Where do we have Judaism in the East? He shouldn’t be a religious bastard. Has he come to see me?

“And many of us fought for him and he came out. Look, Kanu is not an Igbo leader. So he should cool down otherwise he will lose his relevance. He is not an Igbo leader.

“He did not see the civil war, so I’m not happy with him. I am bitter with Kanu because those who fought for him and those who spoke out on his behalf. He has not even visited some of us. Rather he is talking rubbish somewhere else.

“We don’t want anybody to put us into war. We must come to discuss and he must be cautioned to mind what he is saying sometimes. Because as far as I am concerned most of us are talking on his behalf but he has not come. Rather he is going to profess himself to be a Jew or whatever. Was it Judaism that saved him?

“We prayed for him. We talked about him. Many of us were given bad names but up till now he hasn’t even come to pay homage and for us to advise him.

“So whatever he is saying he is saying it on his own. It is his followers and all these people who are now listening to him, particularly even some of the Igbo in the Diaspora that may be sponsoring him. They should be careful and stop disrupting our peace here and giving us a bad name.

“These youths are becoming, somehow, very much unscrupulous. Our youths are also not controlling their own temper. And they are people of today.

“We don’t throw away what the youths are saying but we must caution them, because if you hear what the people on Radio Biafra are saying, they are insulting even the elders in the East, which is not good.

“They should control their statements and they should respect elders. I have said it before, even among our people that we have to respect ourselves.

“We must also have a political and economic base before we can begin to take off. Put our home in order and love ourselves; we should shun arrogance and pomposity among our people.

“The politicians must know that they also have a duty to perform to serve their constituencies.”

By Chijioke Jannah

Nnamdi Kanu Must Be Punished – Arewa Youth President, Shettima

President of the Arewa Youth Coalition, Yarima Shettima, has said that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, must be punished.

Shettima, in an interview with Tribune, stated that Kanu is someone “who has terrorised the country”.

“We will go as far to ensure that we take him to the international court of justice. We will internationalise his case and ensure that this young man is declared a terrorist. He can’t be allowed to go just like that.

“To us, we are seeing what he is doing as a business venture. So, as far as we are concerned, a country should not be run as a banana republic where somebody can do anything and get away with it, without respect for the rule of law,” he said.

Shettima also disclsoed that the group was reviewing its stand on the quit notice issued to Igbos living in north.

“The steps taken by the governors are commendable. One, we have since expected the governors to do what they are doing now. Nevertheless, it is better late than never for.

“What the Ohanaeze and other organisations that came out to denounce the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are doing is commendable.

“We are also reviewing our own situation. We are going to have a meeting soon with other leaders of the coalition and come out with a clear position of things and what we intend to do in order to move forward,” he added.

He, however, stated that the call for the evacuation of the Igbo from the north was not totally off the table.

“I am not saying we have completely removed the earlier condition that they should leave the north. However, the fact of the matter still remains that one, we are not violent.

“Secondly, we intend also to explore all necessary avenues and ensure that, at the end of the day, things are being done in accordance with the law.

“Inasmuch as we appreciate the fact that it is their right to demand self-determination, we are also saying, if you are asking for self-determination, there are certain procedures to go about it,” Shettima stated.

By Ifreke Inyang