Ohaneze Rejects Kanu's Approach, Begs PMB

The Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has insisted that it is not in support of Nnamdi Kanu’s approach to the problem of Igbo marginalization and said he has not Kanu apologized to them yet.

Kanu was arrested by security operatives in October 2015 and his continued detention has sparked series of protests in some parts of the country. Youths under the aegis of the Indigenous People Of Biafra and Movement for the Actualisation of A Sovereign State of Biafra took to the street calling for his release and agitating for an independent state due to marginalization


It was reported that Kanu apologised to President Muhammadu Buhari for publicly insulting him and also apologised to Igbo leaders. However, Ohaneze claimed he has not apologised to them yet.

The Punch reports that Dr. Joe Nwaorgu,, the secretary general of the Igbo group said on Thursday, January 7 that it would be good to release Kanu although his use of violence was unacceptable.

“Kanu’s solution to the Biafran matter is different from ours and not acceptable to us. Kanu and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo are operating on different sides of the coin. He and the youths believe in going out to the streets to protest. Kanu’s despondency is much deeper than ours. I am not trying to justify his method but we demand his unconditional release.”

The group affirmed that it was against secession as they had witnessed the civil war and urged for a better approach towards solving the problem in the region.

“For us that witnessed the civil war, our approach now is that Nigeria’s problems can be solved within Nigeria and by Nigerians. Ohanaeze will not support secession and violence. This is why we are agitating that the 8th National Assembly implements the confab report evolved during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan. This includes the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference. The National Assembly must not fail us

“What we are fighting for in the present dispensation is that the wickedness of over 35 years after the civil war should be corrected. “Justice and equity must be the hallmarks of the new government. We maintain our stand that the confab report should be implemented.”

In a related development, Chief Godwin Odukwe blamed Kanu for being responsible for his own misfortune and incarceration.