Unguided Vituperations: Oluwo Demands Apology From Ohanaeze Ndigbo

The Oluwo of Iwoland, in Osun state, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has called on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to sheath their sword and embrace one Nigeria saying “our diversity is a strength and we must be smart with it and convert it to advantage.”

The paramount Osun monarch however demanded apology from Ohanaeze Ndigbo over what he described as hasty conclusion and unguided vituperations against the respected throne of Iwoland

Oba Akanbi, in a statement by his media aide, Alli Ibrahim, also asked the stakeholders in the zone to address their subjects to promote mutual coexistence.

According to him, achieving a one Nigeria was a collective responsibility saying “I challenge Ohanaeze Ndigbo to take responsibility, appeal to IPOB and ESN to cease fire. It is then that we will know we are all Nigerians in Nigeria and enjoy better sense of belonging.”

The statement reads further, “people should be allowed to go to work and transact business. Sit at home order will do more harms to people’s means of survival. Secession is an abstract concept in modern Nigeria.

“The demarcated restriction is a self inflicted punishment in a united state. No monarch feel the pain of the Igbos like I do. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo should read more about my activities before jumping on the media. My message is to their advantage should they see it as such.

“On October 8, 2021, I issued a statement titled “Oluwo to fg: Heal Civil War Wound on Igbos ” appealing to federal government to hold a national conference centering on healing and compensating Igbos for the wounds sustained from civil war. Did the Ohanaeze Ndigbo make any contact to commend or do a follow up?

“I’m surprised Ohanaeze Indigo could pictured my esteemed office as dividing Nigeria. All informed Nigerians are not unaware of my sacrifice to hold the pillar of Nigeria’s unity. I’m a good friend of the Igbos and the only monarch to use made in Nigeria Igbo car, Innoson. I’ve cordial relationship with Igbo highly respected monarchs and personalities. They have qualified brains who can be president. I’ve family in the Igbos like Chief Sam Iwuajoku and friends as Peter Emeagwali, Chief Billy Okoye, Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson), Chief Chike Ogeah of Marriot Hotel, Peter Ugomozie and others too numerous to mention. Igbos are hardworking but no one is perfect. While I’ve promoted their strengths, their weakness must be addressed for adjustment. I’m a father to the nation. I’ve watched the activities of the IPOB and ESN on television and social media. They should stop hurting us by attacking our own (Igbo)people . Any Igbo kill is my family. Igbos should give equal opportunity to non Igbos on their land. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has to convince us by speaking to the IPOB and ESN regulating and enforcing sit at home order.

“My throne respects equity, Ohanaeze Ndigbo are challenged to reach out to the presidency to grip an idea of my consistency to have a national dialogue on Igbo Civil War wounds.

“I was the first monarch outside South East to visit Innoson manufacturing company own by an Igbo man Innocent Chukwuma and the only Nigerian monarch using Innoson vehicle which I bought in January 2018. I went further to advertise and promote the made in Nigeria vehicle on highway billboards throughout the country on my personal expenses.

“I want to challenge the Igbos further to name a monarch outside the South East who has ever dressed like an Igbo king? I remain an Oba and very committed to the unity and oneness of Nigeria. The Igbos should act more, talk more and do more on unity of Nigeria instead of their vituperation against an unrepentant preacher and promoter of one Nigeria.

“Oluwo has never said Igbo can’t produce the president but need to restrategized. For hasty conclusion and unguided vituperations, the respected throne of the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland deserves an apology from Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“Most importantly as a father to the nation, I appeal to IPOB to sheath their sword and embrace one Nigeria.

“As rich as the statement was, few read with sentiment. Oluwo will keep talking unless the IPOB and ESN stop killing our own (Igbo) people the same way I keep antagonizing ritual killings in south west.

“At the same time, I look forward to seeing Adekunle in Ibadan buying land conveniently in Akwa or Onisha market, Usman from Kano buying a land or owing a shop in Onitsha market the same way Emeka owed a house and many landed properties in Iwo. I reiterate, Igbos has to soften their stance on access to land by other Nigerians.

“I challenge the former Governor of Central of Nigeria and incumbent Governor of Anambra State to appoint a Yoruba or Hausa man as one of his cabinet members as done by Lagos, Osun, Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto State Governments.”