Iwhurohna People’s Assembly (IPA), says Ikwerre ethnic nationality has nothing to do with the planned Igbo day celebration by a faction of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo.
Africa Update reports that a press statement signed by the President General High Chief Monday Wehere and Secretary General, Igwe Onyeche Wofurum, indicates that Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital have been picked as the venue for the “Igbo Day” celebration scheduled for September, 29, 2023 at a yet-to-be disclosed location.
The statement reads: IPA DISSOCIATES IKWERRE ETHNIC NATIONALITY FROM THE PROPOSED “IGBO DAY” CELEBRATION IN PORT HARCOURT
…Warns Ohaneze Ndigbo to steer clear off PH
…Mobilises LGA Chairmen, Youths, etc to stop them
A disturbing Information reaching the Iwhurohna People’s Assembly (IPA), indicates that a faction of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo has inexplicably chosen Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital as the venue for its “Igbo Day” celebration scheduled for September, 29, 2023 at a yet-to-be disclosed location. The apex Igbo political organisation further disclosed that the event would afford that faction of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo an opportunity to remember its “fallen heroes” in a strange land.
The faction of Ohaneze that is organising the “Igbo Day” is strongly advised to take it to any of their five state capitals in Igbo land. There is NO space anywhere in Port Harcourt or any other part of Ikwerre land for such “Remembrance Day” that is laced with hypocrisy and mockery of our own martyrs. The proposed event will certainly result in a downward slide to social anarchy if it is allowed to proceed. We can assure the Rivers State Government, security agencies and sundry stakeholders that the proposed “Igbo Day” celebration has become the subject of heightened public interest, and the dire consequences of allowing it to proceed will unleash a catastrophic response that may be difficult to contain.
We are passionately appealing to the Isoguzoro faction to think again and do the needful before it is too late. We will not stand by and watch the Ohaneze faction dance on the grave of our own fallen martyrs, who are not at rest in their graves.
We are, therefore, calling on the Rivers State Government under the able leadership of Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the General Officer Commanding 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police (who is an Igbo), the State Director of the Department of State Services, the Rivers State Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies to use their good offices to abort the impending chaos by putting a stop to the so-called “Igbo Day” celebration in Port Harcourt.
IPA calls on Ikwerre political class, Chairmen of the four-Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, traditional rulers, youth groups, Community Development Committees, Community-based organisations, women groups, and all stakeholders in Ikwerre affairs to commence mobilisation to stop the proposed “Igbo Day” in any of our communities. We equally appeal to our parent body, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide to rise to this challenge by strongly condemning this provocative outing by Ohaneze Ndi Igbo on our soil. A tree that does not know how to dance will learn a painful lesson from the tempestuous wind. Those who know how to pound, should pound in the mortar; while those who do not know how to pound should pound on the floor. A word, they say is enough for the wise! This land bears our DNA. It must bear our will.
Signed:
HIGH CHIEF MONDAY WEHERE
President General of IPA
IGWE ONYECHE WOFURUM
Secretary General
For and on behalf of IPA
