By Onumajuru Onyekachi Macsantos (Abia writers)
Edited by Livingrich Ezeikpe
The formidable and well recognized Igbo Union founded in 1923 was the second major ethnic union in Nigeria. The union was based in Lagos and had branches all over the country, including Kano, and in Biafran land respectively, having been fully established around the 1940s, although there was Igbo Union instituted in Free Town Sierra Leone by the prominent Igbo trader and ex-soldier called Thomas Refell around 1840s.

The Igbo Biafran gradually lost their respect, political strength, unity, leadership and cultural heritage when vibrant and famous Igbo Union was banned in May 1966 by the then military president, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi during the first incursion into Nigerian politics. The touched and unforgettable ban gave the Igbo Biafrans technical knockout in the scheme of things more especially in politics and other sensitive sectors.

The Igbo Union as a solid dragnet of Ndigbo acting as a concrete bridge to Ndigbo’s Oneness, which also metamorphosed into strong Igbo – NCNC. The Union contributed immensely to the high posture of Ndigbo. The unchallenged union was the strongest ever among Afenifere and others. Their actions speak for them, and their achievements are second-to-none globally more especially in politics, commerce, trade and in the federal and state parastatals which included police, army and Para-military agencies.

The prestigious union singlehandedly attracted developments and also commanded respect in their various provinces and clans. For instance, they built a well-recognized secondary school in Aba, Abia State formerly known as Igbo high school, which is now known as National High School Aba and was one of the best secondary schools then. It was in this school that the team of army and police slaughtered IPOB members on February 9th 2016 during IPOB prayer and worship session.

Igbo Biafrans used to speak with one voice and also gave scholarships to Biafrans irrespective of your clan as far as you are a Biafran. For example, Dr. Michael Okpara gave a scholarship to Late Ken Saro Wiwa of Ogoni clan in Biafranland in government college Umuahia. Michael Okpara himself was a beneficiary with other Biafrans, including the incorruptible, fearless and genuine leaders like Dr. Akanu Ibam, Mazi Mbaonu Ojike and Dee Sam Mbakwe etc.

The union profoundly contributed to economic growth of Igbo and Biafra in the early 1960s as one of the best economies in West African without oil.  These notable men of honour who were members of the Igbo Union built the less than 5% respect left that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is parading with now. The excellent intention behind the establishment of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1976 is now a mockery. Evil agents of Hausa/Fulani federal government, some Igbo compromised politicians and errand boys of Hausa/Fulani oligarchy hijacked it. They drastically changed the good structure and mindset to political prostitution, betrayal, sabotage and widespread killings of their own people in Biafraland and in Nigeria at large.

Presently, (1) Ohanaeze is systematically eroding the sacred Igbo culture by giving the hallowed Isiagu chieftaincy title to total strangers and haters of Ndigbo like Muhammadu Buhari.
(2) Ohanaeze chronically developed the culture of not implementing the promises made to people they claim to represent.
(3) They have formed the habit of deceit and lies as their bedrock.
(4) The only Federal Government infrastructure and companies attracted by Ohanaeze are police, army, navy, customs, Civil Defence checkpoints and cattle ranches all over Biafra and Igbo land.
(5) Mass graves.
(6) Betraying the people they hypocritically claim to represent and also mortgaging the Igbo value system, collective and common interest of their people to the core foes. Instead of being a protector to their people, they are traitors to their people.

Ohanaeze has successfully relegated the core Igbo pride to nothing before other tribes. The notorious actions of Ohanaeze have automatically made Ndigbo political orphans. Below are some of what the absentee landlord known as Ohaneze Ndigbo intentionally subjugated their people to:
i. The beheading of Gideon Akaluka 1995 by the current Emir Sanusi of Kano,
ii. The beheading of Mrs. Bridget Agbaheme by Islamic fanatics in Kano on 3rd March 2016,
iii. The killing of IPOB members at Nkpor on 30th May 2016,
iv. The September 14th 2017 genocide in Afara Ukwu Ibeku and destruction of the palace of traditional ruler, His Royal Highness Eze, Okwu Kanu by Nigerian Army, where uncountable number of people were killed, many permanently disfigured, while uncountable IPOB youths were herded into detention in all Nigerian police/army secret cells for doing nothing,
v. Igbo women/girls are raped by herdsmen and Hausa/Fulani security agents while Igbo men are killed in large numbers,
vi. Unlawful detention and humiliation of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe and Innocent Chukwuma (a.k.a Innoson motors) among other notable Biafrans.
vii. Buhari’s DSS incursion into so many Igbo peoples investment.
viii. The threat by current Oba of Lagos to throw Ndi-Igbo into Lagos Lagoon if they fail to vote for his candidate.
ix. The former governor of Lagos State Babatunde Raji Fashola deported Ndi-Igbo from Lagos State,
x. Many Igbo shops were set on fire both in Lagos State and the Northern parts of Nigeria under the watch of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has never been involved in any meaningful project or program that will benefit their people instead they participate in the mission that will cause their people pains and agony. The IPOB have given Ohanaeze soft conditions including the de-proscription of IPOB, which they declined diplomatically in their previous meeting dated August 2018. Remember, “He who collaborates with his enemy to tag his children, terrorist, is the father of terrorists".
In Biafra, We Stand

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