ENUGU, Nigeria – The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has categorically denied recent claims circulated by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, that the group plans to apologise to the Fulani ethnic group for the assassination of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa during the 1966 coup.
Addressing journalists in Owerri, over the weekend, Chief Iwuanyanwu labelled the allegations as “wicked and false.”
The elder statesman emphasised the innocence of the Igbos in the events of the coup, describing the military action as independent of any tribal affiliations.
““The Igbos may been involved but they were wearing military uniforms. Igbos didn’t kill anybody and we are not begging anybody. I have never accepted responsibility for that coup. Nobody told Nzeogu to do a coup just like nobody told the others that did coups in Nigeria”, Iwuanyanwu stated, highlighting the extensive losses suffered by the Igbo community in the aftermath.
The rumours of an apology stemmed from a controversial voice message that suggested Ohanaeze Ndigbo had held a retreat in Enugu City with the intention of extending an apology to the Sultan of Sokoto.
Iwuanyanwu clarified that the actual purpose of the Enugu retreat was to establish committees focused on the development of Igboland, involving initiatives in education, health, and skills acquisition.
During his talk, Iwuanyanwu also refuted any connections of the Igbos to the orchestration of the coup, and expressed his disappointment over the misuse of his reputation to propagate false narratives.
“It pains me people tell lies to damage my name that we are going to apologize over that coup,” he said.
Further detailing the proceedings of the retreat, Iwuanyanwu disclosed that more than 200 individuals attended the meeting, which was supported by the governor of Enugu state.
He emphasised that the assembly did not require the presence of other governors as it was strictly for committee meetings.
In addition, the President General announced plans to publish a book titled ‘This Is Our Story’, which will chronicle the history and experiences of the Igbo people from the time of the Nigerian Civil War to the present.
Ending on a note of reconciliation, Iwuanyanwu mentioned he had forgiven those behind the misleading voice message, including a public apology from the individual identified as Ugwuh.
Chief Iwuanyanwu also touched on the ongoing efforts to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, affirming his leadership in initiating these moves which have now garnered wider support among governors and other leaders within the Igbo community.
