From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndígbo, yesterday condemned, in strong words, the unprovoked attack and disruption of a Labour Party meeting last Saturday in Nomeh, Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State by gunmen.
Saturday’s attack was about the third time that Labour Party members were being attacked in Enugu State by gunmen while holding their meetings, the first and second being at Nenwe and Awgu Local Governments headquarters, respectively.
Those who attacked the party at Nomeh were said to have vowed not to allow any political meetings or programmes in Igboland, but people in the state were questioning why it is only Labour Party events that were being attacked.
Ohanaeze, in its statement, stressed that such attacks send very wrong signal about the very core essence for which the Igbo were known, warning that the Nomen incident should be the last such would be recorded in Enugu or any part of Igbo land.
The Ohanaeze statement, which was issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, further said, “It is inconceivable that at a time eminent persons and groups from all over the world are embracing the Labour Party as the quintessence of equity, justice, hope, economic emancipation, social risorgimento and inter-ethnic unity in Nigeria, some disgruntled scoundrels are busy disrupting their meetings at the grassroots in the South East.
“Emphasis is made that the character of social structure in Igbo land imposes huge responsibilities on the traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, the community vigilantes and ultimately the chairmen of the local governments as the chief security officers. In other words, all the security officers at each unit of Igbo administration are, hereby, requested to ensure that there will never be a repeat of such irresponsible unwarranted and shameful embarrassment to the Igbo.
“The Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor, reiterates that political parties of all persuasions are free to market their manifestoes and canvass for votes in all the country; but nothing in the wildest imagination should compel the so called unknown gunmen or the vile partisans, masquerading as political leaders, to employ the use of thugs to disrupt or attack political meetings in Igbo land.
“The uninitiated may not realise the consequences that await the renegades that have made themselves the willing tools to antagonise the Igbo spirit. On the other hand, if one must work for his party or a candidate of his choice, such narrow interests must never go the extra mile to jeopardise the general Igbo interest.”