The problem Ndigbo in diaspora have is the protracted power tussle by those people parading themselves as traditional rulers
By Moses Okorie
The chairman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Ifeanyichukwu Nweze has begged President Bola Tinubu to grant the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu an unconditional pardon.
The Ohanaeze leader stated this in an interview with newsmen shortly after the 2024 maiden meeting of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the FCT held at the Top Rank Hotel Galaxy, Jabi, Abuja, where the group prayed for the success of the Tinubu-led government as well as their kinsmen, minister of Works, Senator David Umahi.
Barrister Nweze postulated that as a legal practitioner, the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu is something that may take a long time, if the president does not intervene.
On the factionalization of Igbo groups across Nigeria and FCT in particular, he said the problem Ndigbo in diaspora have is the protracted power tussle by those people parading themselves as traditional rulers.
He said one kingdom cannot have two traditional rulers, and so people should come from their various states to lay claim to traditional leadership in other people’s land and be causing confusion.
He thereby called on the government to disband and disregard any Igbo man without a certificate of coronation, claiming to be a traditional ruler (Eze Igbo) in another man’s land.
The Ohanaeze leader said the problem the Igbo people have even in the FCT is the disagreement that exist between two individuals; Uche Egenti and one Ibeh Nwosu who have factionalized the ethnic group under the guise of being Eze Igbo, but said he, being elected chairman of the Ndigbo in the FCT is already doing everything possible to bring.
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He expressed gratitude with the attendance of Ndigbo numbering about 500 who attended the prayer session.
When asked which of the leaders the government recognizes in FCT, he said, “Last year, the government gave us bags of rice bearing the pictures of the President and the Minister of Works and some money for the Christmas celebration to share to the Ndigbo in FCT, which we have distributed to people concern.
“If the government does not recognize us, why is the government reaching Ndigbo through us?”