“We Will Not Apologies For 1966 Coup,” Ohanaeze

Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has denied accusations by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) that he will apologise to the Fulani ethnic group for the deaths of Sir Ahmadu Bello and Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa during the 1966 coup.

According to The Nation, Iwuanyanwu refuted this in Owerri, Imo state, over the weekend. He stated it was unfair and unjust to blame the Igbos for the coup. He claimed that Ohaneze Ndigbo would never apologise for something they had not done.

“I was shocked to read a voice mail message which was circulating all over the country and all over the world alleging that we held a meeting in Enugu and that the meeting was poorly attended where the decision was taken that we are going to Sokoto to apologise to the Fulanis over the death of Ahmadu Bello and Tafawa Balewa and other Northerners. They abused me and insulted me. I read it and I was sad. I don’t expect that somebody or a Christian will come out and tell a completely false story against me. I never said anything like that.”

The question of apologising to the Fulanis was never mentioned, he clarified, during the recent retreat in Enugu, which was essentially a conference of committees constituted for the development of Igboland.

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He underlined that the 1966 coup was an entirely military operation and that the Igbos were not to blame.

“Igbos didn’t kill anybody or leader but the Igbos were killed. So, as far as Ohaneze Ndigbo is concerned, Igbo did not have any business with that coup, that coup was purely a military affair like other coups that occurred in the country,” he said.

Iwuanyanwu expressed sadness and pain at the lies levelled about him, claiming that he has always tried to restore respect to the Igbos and Nigerians.

“It pains me that people will tell naked lies just to bring down a man of my status, a man who for over 60 years had laboured to build a name. I have served Igbos and Nigerians in various capacities and at every stage I have been aware that I’m an Igbo man and I have done everything to bring dignity to the Igbos. I can not understand why my people will come and start telling lies just to bring me down. The whole thing is false,” he said.

He gave an explanation for why the Southeast Governors were not invited to the event by the organisation.

“We didn’t invite the governors because we felt that the Governors are so busy to leave their states affairs to attend committee meetings, but it was well attended. We had over 200 people at the meeting which was televised,” he said, adding “Somebody told lies that nobody came, in fact I received congratulatory messages from all over the world.” he said.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli