Politics

OHANAEZE Ndigbo Worldwide has saluted Afenifere, pan Yoruba group for its  courage, tenacity, dedication, robustness and unwavering commitment to the ideals of pan-Nigerianism and the continued existence of Nigeria without caring whose ox is gored. 

Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, national publicity, secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a statement on March 29, applauded “the resolutions of Afenifere’s meeting in its entirety and pray that God Almighty will continue to grant the the group the wisdom and courage to always champion the cause of a better Nigeria.

The full statement made available to Realnews reads:

“The   attention   of   Ohanaeze   Ndigbo   Worldwide   has   been   drawn   to   the Communiqué issued by the Afenifere, the umbrella socio-cultural organization for the Yoruba ethnic on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the end of its monthly meeting held at the residence of its leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State, Nigeria. 

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo salutes the courage, tenacity, dedication, robustness and unwavering commitment to the ideals of pan-Nigerianism and the continued existence of Nigeria without caring whose ox is gored. We applaud the resolutions of its meeting in its entirety and pray that God Almighty will continue to grant the Afenifere the wisdom and courage to always champion the cause of a better Nigeria.

“We   are   persuaded   that the Afenifere’s   resolutions as published   are   fundamental   and foundational to the current socio-political crisis gnawing at the heart of Nigeria; and that those resolutions speak truth to the conscience of the powers that be in Nigeria. Ohanaeze supports those resolutions in all ramifications and join in calling on the President and Government of Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency, restore public confidence and hope in the Nigerian project. 

“Afenifere’s unflinching stand on the side of equity and justice has not come to us as a surprise given that the organization has, at various times, stood for truth each time Nigeria finds herself at the cross-roads. We are not unmindful of Afenifere’s role in restoring democracy to Nigeria through the platform of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO). The Afenifere leaders, with   alliances   across the national divide and the   international  bodies launched the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), which eventually gave birth to the Committee for Unity and Understanding (CUU), among others.

“We thank the Afenifere for telling the world the true position on the February 25 Presidential election, which from available records was won by Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party. Furthermore, we commend the Afenifere for its reassurances of security and support to stranger communities in Yorubaland, particularly Lagos State and for reassuring our people that there is no war between the Yoruba and any other group in Nigeria, especially the Igbo. 

“In addition, we commend the Afenifere for strongly condemning the “campaigns of calumny and acts of ethnic violence deployed by some politicians and their hired criminal gangs in several parts of the federation   during   the   gubernatorial   election particularly in Lagos   State where the election was made to appear like an inter-ethnic war between the Yoruba and the Igbo; which greatly   led   to   voters’   suppression   and   other   forms of brigandage and  disenfranchisement”. Such rejection could not have come at a better time than this. 

“We encourage other ethnic socio-cultural organizations to borrow a leaf from the Afenifere in standing up for principles of equity and justice and to be counted each time Nigeria is confronted with political crises. We join Afenifere in restating our confidence in the  the judiciary with the hope  that   it   will   acquit   itself  creditably in   the   election litigations presently before it without fear or favour.

“Finally, we commend Afenifere for its wisdom and maturity in discountenancing the handiwork of mischief makers in  an  attempt   to   misrepresent  the remarks by our patriotic, charismatic and detribalized leader, the  Chairman, Council of Elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu( Ahaejiagamba).

“Iwuanyanwu is a thoroughbred cosmopolitan,  inter-etnic unifier with diverse national and international contacts; and a commited champion of the Nigerian unity. It is therefore inconceivable for Ahaejiagamba to contemplate an uncomplimentary remark against any group in Nigeria.

“We want to place on record  that when the history of Nigerian travails is written,  Chief Ayo Adebanjo will feature most copiously on the side of justice, nobility, honour, courage, character and integrity.”

KN

Tags: Afenifere Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia NADECO Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Peter Obi