Ohaneze berates misguided Igbo Elders’ over attempt to tender apologies to Fulanis on 1966 Coup

Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo has condemned in totality the purported attempts by a faction of misguided Igbo Elders’ to tender apologies to the Fulani leadership, especially as it regards the tumultuous events surrounding the 1966 Coup in Nigeria.

The group made this known in a statement signed by the secretary general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and forwarded to Newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday.

The statement reads in part: “We raise a voice of admonition and defiance against the purported attempts by a faction of misguided Igbo Elders to offer apologies to the Fulani leadership, regarding the tumultuous events surrounding the 1966 Coup.

“The apex Igbo organization stands resolute in safeguarding the honor and legacy of the Igbo forebears – among them, Nnamdi Azikwe, Michael Okpara, Chief Francis Akanu-Ibiam, and Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu – who laid the foundations of Igbo identity with unwavering commitment and sacrifice.

The leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo through it’s secretary general, Isiguzoro has issued a stern warning to the deviant Elders, urging them to reassess their actions and seek reconciliation with the Ndigbo.

“Failure to heed this call and persist in their dishonorable quest to acquiesce before the Fulani leadership will result in severe consequences, including ostracism and proscription across Igboland.

“To contemplate a narrative distortion, to bend the knee in unwarranted contrition to external forces, is to bring shame upon the indelible spirit of the Igbo people and their storied history.

Ohaneze leadership further said that the move by some Igbo Elders’ to embark on a misguided pilgrimage to seek forgiveness from the Fulani leadership, especially as it regards the 1966 coup, is a betrayal of trust to the Igbo populace in Nigeria.

He continued: “The distressing revelation of certain Igbo Elders’ embarking on a misguided pilgrimage to seek forgiveness from the Fulani leadership, betrays not only the trust of the Igbo populace but also distorts the essence of Igbo pride and resilience.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasized that “any public apologies made to fulani leadership on behalf of Ndigbo without the imprimatur of Imeobi and the General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, holds no weight among the 60 million-strong global Igbo community.

Ohaneze noted that “the sanctity of Ohanaeze as a sacred institution must be upheld, guarding it against exploitation for personal or political agendas. The clandestine machinations between select Igbo leaders and the Fulani elite, purportedly driven by a Southeast governor with imperial ambitions in 2027, threaten to compromise the very fabric of Igbo honor and integrity” the group stressed.