•Says there’s conspiracy to stop Igbo from presidency
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Igbo ethnic nationality is said to still suffer from the same reasons the late Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu declared the state of Biafra 58 years ago.
National spokesperson of the Igbo National Union – Worldwide (INU-W), Dr Ngozi Ogbomor, stated this during the unveiling of INU- W, in Aba, Abia State.
Ogbomor regretted that apart from the fact that the issues still exist, there are no concrete efforts to resolve them over the years.
He lamented that the Igbo are still marginalised in all aspects in the governance of Nigeria, adding that other sections of the country have continued to conspire against the Igbo man.
“The Igbo have been made to understand that we are not part of Nigeria. Every tribe has had their turn, yet there is a conspiracy to stop the Igbo from the presidency.
“But it is good that Biafra has become a mark of unity for the Igbo. The Biafra war actually made the Igbo to understand that they are one people. Joe Achuzia is not from the South East and was based in London when the war was declared but he had to return to fight to protect Igbo land.
“So, how can someone from Asaba or Agbor say he’s Ika Igbo or Delta Igbo? Igbo is Igbo, there is nothing like Ika Igbo or Delta Igbo. It’s all part of the design to make some people deny their true identity. I’m an Igbo man from Igbanke in Edo state. My surname was changed from Ogbonna to Ogbomor to confuse our identity.
“Biafra is beyond the South East. The Igbanke people in Edo state are Igbo. We have been suffering marginalisation because we are Igbo.
“Our surnames were changed because of Biafra but today our people are reverting to their Igbo names because it is our identity. Salaries of our Ezes were suspended because they have refused to deny their Igbo identity. The Ezes also complained about the degrading treatment they get when they attend meetings with the Oba of Benin.
Secretary of the group, Justin Onyenso said the group plans to unify Igbo residing in Kogi, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and other states.