The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi has again accused the South-East of engaging in self-inflicted punishment in a united Nigeria.
The Iwo monarch admonished the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to drop their weapons and embrace peace and dialogue to achieve a United country.
Recall that the monarch had said in one of his statements that the Igbos cannot be trusted with the country’s presidency saying that there is instability in the South-East region; to which Ohaneze replied that the Monarch should stop meddling into politics and face his monarchical business.
Reacting to the post, the Iwo Monarch demanded that the Pan Igbo group (Ohaneze) should tender an apology to the throne of the Oluwo.
He accused Ohaneze of rushing to push out hasty and unguarded vituperations.
Citing that no monarch felt the pains of Ndigbo like he did, he asked the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to read more about his activities before jumping to the media.
The monarch, posited that his message was in the interest of the Igbos and not against them, saying the advice was mentioned in good spirit and oneness.
His words read, “I want to challenge the Igbos further to name a monarch outside the South-East who has ever dressed like an Igbo king? I remain an Oba and very committed to the unity and oneness of Nigeria. The Igbos should act more, talk more and do more on the unity of Nigeria instead of their vituperation against an unrepentant preacher and promoter of one Nigeria.
“I was the first monarch outside the South-East to visit Innoson manufacturing company owned by an Igbo man Innocent Chukwuma and the only Nigerian monarch using an Innoson vehicle, which I bought in January 2018. I went further to advertise and promote the made in Nigeria vehicle on highway billboards throughout the country on my personal expenses.”
Oba Akanbi, who lamented that he was surprised Ohanaeze Ndigbo could picture him as dividing Nigeria, added that he has cordial relationships with respected monarchs and personalities from the South-East.
He noted that he never meant Igbos can’t produce the president, explaining that there was need for them to re-strategize.
“I appeal to IPOB to sheath their sword and embrace one Nigeria. Our diversity is a strength. We must be smart with it and convert it to advantage. Achieving one Nigeria is a collective responsibility. I challenge Ohanaeze Ndigbo to take responsibility, appeal to IPOB and ESN to ceasefire. It is then that we will know we are all Nigerians in Nigeria and enjoy a better sense of belonging.
“The stakeholders in the zone should address their subjects to promote mutual coexistence. People should be allowed to go to work and transact business. Sit-at-home order will do more harm to people’s means of survival. Secession is an abstract concept in modern Nigeria,” he added.
The Iwo monarch had in an earlier statement declared that he cannot trust any Southeasterner to be the President of Nigeria.
The traditional ruler’s comment and Ohaneze’s counter-comment are made at a time when the Igbos are clamouring for an Igbo presidency.