From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has warned traditional ruler of Nnewi, Anambra State, his son and other cabinet chiefs against selling the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ title belonging to the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu.
IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, in a statement, yesterday, said information gathered by the group revealed that the son of the Igwe of Nnewi has concluded plans with some cabinet members of the palace to bestow the title on a moneybag politician from the state to advance his governorship aspiration.
“We are informed that the moneybag politician plans to use the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ title to secure some legitimacy for his upcoming governorship bid. Our eternal leader’s title should be left out of his political plans. In life, Ojukwu made his stance clear. Ojukwu represents the people and not the personal ambitions of any individual.
“IPOB is, by way of this message, also alerting Igwe Orizu to the secret plans that are being hatched behind his back.
“IPOB is warning those involved to desist from that plan, because the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ title exclusively belongs to our eternal leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, whether dead or alive, because of his enormous contributions to Biafra Nation.
“The title should strictly belong to him. Nobody has the right to tamper with such an important title to such an important person to Alaigbo and our history. Anybody who intends to buy that title is setting himself up against IPOB and Ndigbo in general.
“Nobody in Nnewi or any part of Alaigbo is allowed to be conferred with the title of ‘Ikemba Nnewi’. That title belongs to the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and to him alone.
“Orizu of Nnewi should stop those planning the sale of the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ title to anyone or those responsible will have IPOB to contend with. We shall never be kind to the sellers or buyers of the chieftaincy title belonging to our eternal leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
“Igwe Nnewi and his cabinet should look for other titles to confer to the moneybag-carrying-politician but must not tamper with the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ title.
“Ndigbo traditional rulers should learn to respect heroes who contribute immensely to the welfare and well-being of Ndigbo, not moneybags. Hitherto, Igbo traditional rulers honoured humanitarians and heroes with chieftaincy titles but not anymore.
“Many traditional rulers have become slaves to money. That’s why corrupt politicians are tossing them up and down like they are their stooges.”
Further stating reasons the title is exclusively reserved for Ojukwu and consequences of going against the group’s warning, Powerful said: “The late Ojukwu did what no Igbo man living or dead has done. We warn anyone or any group that dares to resurrect the anger of Ojukwu inside his grave to be ready for the consequences. IPOB is ready to confront anybody, cabinet member or otherwise and any money-bag-carrying-politician who tampers with the ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ title, which belongs to our eternal leader.
“IPOB volunteers and Eastern Security Network (ESN) won’t spare anyone who is selling or buying our eternal leader’s title.
“IPOB respects Orizu as a custodian of sacred Nnewi tradition and for his uprightness so far, but for him to allow the sale of the title of ‘Ikemba Nnewi’ to any moneybag-carrying-politician is the red line.
“Orizu of Nnewi and his cabinet have so many chieftaincy titles. Why is anyone planning to sell the title that belongs to Ojukwu? Do they just want to insult Ojukwu, his memory, his legacy, his family, or do they want to provoke IPOB? For this evil agenda, IPOB will begin to monitor Igwe Orizu and his cabinet closely going forward.
“The stakeholders and elders of Nnewi should call Igwe Orizu’s son and his co-conspirators to order. Otherwise, they will see us in an uncommonly dangerous form if they don’t retrace their steps towards this great betrayal of our eternal leader, Ojukwu, and all of us.
“We are calling on Governor Charles Soludo to look into this matter and stop it because IPOB won’t allow such a person to flourish with the title of Ikemba Nnewi.
“We won’t say this again, and we are instructing IPOB Intelligence, IPOB volunteers, and ESN operatives to monitor the development and report back to IPOB leadership for necessary action,” Powerful said.