The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has outrightly refuted claims by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that the group is plotting to apologise to the Fulani ethnic group for the killing of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa during the 1966 coup.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of the Igbo group, described the report as “wicked and false” while addressing newsmen in Owerri on Saturday. He insisted that the Igbos had nothing to do with the coup, adding that it was unfair and unjust to accuse them of being responsible for it. He declared that Ohanaeze Ndigbo would never apologise for something they did not do.
“I was shocked to read a voice message alleging that we held a retreat at Enugu state, and it was poorly attended. The voice message was false, malicious and wicked,” he said. He further clarified that the retreat in Enugu was for the setting up of committees for the development of Igboland and was attended by over 200 people.
Speaking on the viral voice message, Iwuanyanwu said, “Igbos are not responsible for the coup in 1966, It was entirely a military affair. It was not carried out to make any Igbo man leader and a beneficiary. So, anybody who says we are going to apologize is not true.”
He also revealed that part of what was agreed in the retreat was the publication of a book to be called ‘This Is Our Story’. It will tell their story starting from the time of war till this moment. He expressed his forgiveness towards those who spread the false voice message.
Finally, he mentioned his efforts in the move to free Nnamdi Kanu, stating, “I have done a lot, I am the one who started the move to free Kanu, and many were bold to join me because they have respect for me and followed me. All our governors are calling for Kanu’s to be released.”
