After a curious and studied silence, the apex Igbo organization has come out with a comment on its position on the re-arraignment and consequent trial of Biafran secessionist leader and head of the Indigenous Peoples Of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a communique issued after meeting of the National Executive Committee NEC, of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, held on Saturday, July 10,2021 in Enugu and signed by its National Publicity Secretary , Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, current local and national issues were discussed and the following resolutions emerged.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide stated that it “has observed with keen interest the recent re-arraignment and consequent trial of our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

Ohanaeze insisted that “in as much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not averse to the trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we however submit that he should be tried within the ambit of the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and in line with global best practices.”

The apex Igbo body pledged its support to his defence promising “that as part of our avowed determination to ensure the fair trial of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu , we have constituted a legal team led by the National Legal Adviser of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and eminent Igbo Leaders to monitor the legal proceedings, throughout the trial.”

Meanwhile Ohanaeze threw their weight behind the recent decisions of the Southern Governors on the ban on open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the presidency to the south and 5% share to host communities in the Petroleum Industries Bill.

The communique stated “that we strongly support the stand taken by the Southern Governors Forum on anti-open grazing, restructuring, rotation of the President of Nigeria to the South in 2023, and the proposed 5% share of the Petroleum Industries Bill (PIB) for the host communities.”

Ohanaeze aligned their position with that of the Igbo youths noting “that we identify with the Igbo youths in their grievances with respect to Igbo marginalization, menace of the Fulani herdsmen, etc; however we do not support the use of any form of violence to redress the relative deprivation and prevailing inequality and injustice across the country.” The therefore urged the youths to eschew violence and advised them to be law abiding and “sheath their sword as the South East leaders and stakeholders address these our collective grievances through meaningful dialogue and negotiations.”

It urged Ndigbo particularly the youths to take the ongoing voters’ registration exercise seriously, “as this is the only means that guarantees effective participation in Nigerian politics and a sine qua non to achieving our goals and aspirations in the Nigeria project.”