By Kolawole Ojebisi
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described as “incendiary”, the remarks by the former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, while criticising the Tinubu administration on Thursday.
The former Minister of Transport had said it would take a “brutal force” to wrest the reins of power from Tinubu in 2027.
But reacting to the statement, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo stressed that the former Minister’s remarks are not just alarming but also divisive.
The Igbo socio-cultural organisation made its stance known in a statement issued by the Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, in Kaduna on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo denounced Amaechi’s rhetoric as a threat to democracy, peace, and civility.
The statement also distanced itself from Amaechi’s position on the Tinubu government and suggested approach to end the current administration in 2027.
The organisation also emphasized that the Igbo people would never endorse any political conspiracy aimed at undermining the legitimacy of an elected President.
“Amaechi’s outrageous call for Nigerians to resort to ‘brutal force’ in an attempt to snatch power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by 2027 starkly contravenes the principles of civility, democracy, and peace that we hold dear.
“Amaechi’s equally disconcerting assertion that politicians must be willing to ‘steal, maim, and kill’ to retain power not only diminishes the dignity of our political discourse but also poses a dire threat to the very fabric of our society.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the reckless and incendiary comments made by Chibuike Amaechi against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
“It is essential to declare firmly that the Ndigbo will never endorse any political conspiracy aimed at undermining the legitimacy of an elected President.” the statement reads in part.
Furthermore, Ohanaeze Ndigbo backed the stance of the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, who urged Amaechi to cease inciting the populace.
“We unequivocally lend our support to the position articulated by the Minister of State for Defence, H.E. Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle.
“We echo his urgent call for Mr. Amaechi to retract his divisive statements and cease from further inciting the populace, lest he face the inevitable repercussions of his actions,” Isiguzoro said.
“Our resolve is steadfast, as we remain committed to fostering peace, stability, and fruitful governance in Nigeria.
“Let it be said that the aspirations of the Igbo people align with a future predicated upon legitimate leadership, respect for democratic processes, and a shared vision for a prosperous Nigeria,” the statement concluded.
