Ohanaeze Distances Self From Ultimatum On Govt To Tag Shi’ites Terrorist Group, Demands Lifting Of IPOB Ban

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has disowned the youth group which used its name to issue a seven days ultimatum on Nigerian Government to declare Shiites as terrorists.

The group which claimed to be a coalition of Ohanaeze youth groups, had following the blood letting in Abuja on Tuesday, sequel to the protest by Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites, issued the ultimatum.

But in a statement by the special media adviser to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emeka Attama, the Igbo apex body described them as a faceless youth group and unknown to them.

It warned against any group using its name to spread fake news in future, saying that it may be forced to drag such a group to court.

“It is necessary, for the umpteenth time, to warn individuals and groups to desist from frivolous use of the name of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to carry out their nefarious activities or seek cheap publicity.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo further states that it might be forced to institute legal action against any subsequent unmindful use of its name to cause any form of disenchantment in the society.

“While Ohanaeze Ndigbo is aversed to the violence of any sort, it has no locus standi to issue an ultimatum to the Federal Government on the uprising by the Shi’ite Muslims.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, however, reiterates its call on the Federal Government to describe the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, whose members are unarmed and constitute no threat to the peace of the country but are only advocating for self-determination.

“It amounts to a double standard for the Federal Government to proscribe IPOB, but refuse to declare Boko Haram and marauding herdsmen terrorist organisations,” the statement read.