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Ohanaeze Kicks As IPOB Threatens 30-Day Sit-At-Home
Apex Igbo socio-Cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, disagreed with the plan by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to lock down the South-East for one month, if its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not brought to court on October 21, 2021.
A statement by IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, alleged that the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Department of State Service (DSS), in Abuja have concluded plans not to bring Mazi Kanu to court on October 21, 2021.
However, Ohanaeze advised IPOB not to carry out the threat, warning that it would be counter-productive to the cause they are pursuing.
Similarly, Igbo elite body, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), said they don’t envisage anything that will stop DSS from producing Kanu in court that day.
IPOB alleged that the plan of the Federal Government and DSS is to perpetually keep Mazi Kanu behind bars without trial to see if they can demoralise him and Biafrans.
IPOB statement entitled, “Biafra land will go on one month lockdown if Nnamdi Kanu is not brought to Court on October 21, 2021”, however, warned that its peaceful disposition as a people should not be misconstrued as weakness.
IPOB’s statement read in part, “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great prophet and liberator of our time, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the plot by Nigerian government and her DSS in Abuja not to produce our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in court on October 21, 2021, the date he is due to appear in court to start his case.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has again perfected plans not to bring him to court on that day. Their plan is to perpetually keep him behind bars without trial to see if they can demoralise him and Biafrans but they are late.
“If the Federal Government refuses to bring him to court for his next court appearance on October 21, 2021, the entire Biafra land will be on total lockdown for one month. The Federal Government will know that they cannot take us for granted any more.
“Our peaceful disposition as a people should not be misconstrued as weakness. Nigeria cannot incarcerate our leader illegally and expect things to be normal again. If by October 21, Kanu is not brought to court, Nigeria will know that Kanu commands the unflinching loyalty of over 60 million Biafrans home and in Diaspora.
“By keeping our leader out of circulation, his health will be in jeopardy and we won’t allow this. The Nigerian Government must tell us why it will choose to disobey court orders and expect citizens to watch like conquered slaves.
“They are busy granting amnesty to terrorists and bandits killing their soldiers and citizens, but are keeping peaceful agitators in perpetual detention.
“Their plan is to suppress agitation and force everyone into submission but Biafrans won’t succumb to their intimidation. We are a different people.
“Their plan is to silence agitations for freedom as championed by Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Ighoho so that the Fulani from across Africa will overrun Nigeria. They can’t conquer Biafra land as they have conquered Hausa and other indigenous tribes in Nigeria,” Powerful said.
But Ohanaeze informed the group that it was working with Igbo lawmakers in the National Assembly for a political solution to see that their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was released.
“The apex Igbo body told IPOB that Kanu, their leader will not be happy that Ndigbo is being inflicted with hardship.
According to the spokesman of Ohanaeze, Hon. Alex Ogbonnia, “I don’t think the IPOB which Nnamdi Kanu represents, which he epitomises, will like to inflict hardship and injuries on Ndigbo.
“They will be playing into the hands of hoodlums. Even when IPOP suspended their weekly Monday sit-at-home, some hoodlums hijacked it and went on killing, maiming and destroying Igbo property. They will be playing into the hands of the hoodlums.
“They will lose the solidarity and sympathy of the people and the essence of the agitation will become questionable and it will turn out against Kanu and become counter-productive.
“They should take it easy. Ohanaeze and South East Caucus at National Assembly are making sincere efforts to get Kanu released through political solution”.
In its reaction, Igbo elite body, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), said it doesn’t envisage anything that will stop DSS from producing Kanu in court that day.
“There won’t be any reason not to produce Nnamdi Kanu in Court this time around. After all, the courts have resumed from their annual vacation.
“And so, the idea of shutting down the South-East by IPOB does not arise.
“Let us wait until then before we contemplate what is going to happen”, ADF spokesman, Abia Onyike said.
Efforts to get the reaction from Chairman of the South East Governors Forum, and Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, proved abortive at press time last night.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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