Ooni, Nwosu Decry Proscription, Tagging of IPOB as Terror Group

The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi yesterday expressed disapproval to the proscription and tagging of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as terrorist, saying that the youths that were involved in agitations should not be discarded.

This is as the Archbishop of Aba Province, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Ikechi Nwosu urged President Muhammadu Buhari to drop the idea of treating those agitating for restructuring or self-determination as enemies that must be crushed by all means.

The Ooni expressed this view when he visited the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu in solidarity with the people of Abia and the entire people of Southeast zone following the recent security crisis in the zone.

The premier traditional ruler of the Yoruba race, who explained that he was in Abia “to continue the oneness we preach concerning the unity of this country and to continue to build bridges across the entire country”. He faulted the manner youths were being discarded and branded terrorists for crying out against injustice in the land.

He noted that the youths who were involved in agitations were justified in asking for justice and equity in Nigeria and therefore renamed IPOB to mean the Indigenous People of Brighter Nigeria (IPOBN).

“There is something that is bordering them that is making them to cry,” he said, adding, “We should not throw them away; we should draw them closer (because ) the youths of this country are the future, the energy, they are the heartbeat of this country,” he said.

According to him, the youths had inherent energies that could be tapped and positively channeled to build a batter Nigerian state, that instead of throwing them away, they should be drawn closer and their energies channeled positively for a better Nigeria.

Oba Ogunwusi called for proper re-orientation of the youths in order to make them drop negative tendencies such as hate speeches and call for disintegration of the country.

Alluding to the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that Nigeria should be restructured to ensure equity, justice and fairness, the Ooni said that the Yoruba race shared the same view on the way forward for a better and all-inclusive Nigeria.

He said; “We must chart the course of doing thing with positive energy. I want to let you know that you are not alone in this. We stand by you positively in a very progressive manner. We stand by you that we all must come together to build a united Nigeria. We don’t want any war; we don’t want any disintegration”.

Oba Ogunwusi who is also the deputy president of the National Council of Traditional Rulers, said that he was very proud of the youths , adding that he would never throw them away.