**OHANAEZE NDIGBO PRESS RELEASE**
In the past four days, Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has been inundated with threatening phone calls from unknown individuals. These callers have accused Dr. Ogbonnia of plotting to kill Mr. Simon Ekpa and have threatened to kill him first.
Dr. Ogbonnia has categorically denied these allegations, calling them “ridiculous, malicious, mischievous, and satanic.” He emphasized that he lacks the capacity or intent to harm anyone. “I am neither trained as a soldier nor as a police officer or in any paramilitary organization with a duty to respond to threats to life and property. At my age, I cannot even kill a fly, talk more of a global Leviathan in the person of Mr. Simon Ekpa,” Dr. Ogbonnia stated.
As the spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Ogbonnia is committed to upholding the core interests of the Igbo community and representing Ohanaeze’s positions on national issues. He reiterated his stance on the detrimental effects of the ongoing sit-at-home protests in the South East of Nigeria. Dr. Ogbonnia noted that these protests have caused more harm than good to the Igbo people and clarified that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as a non-coercive organization, does not have the authority to halt these protests.
Dr. Ogbonnia highlighted that it is the responsibility of the federal government to address any security threats posed by individuals or groups. Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to Mr. Simon Ekpa to return home for dialogue and continues to advocate for peace in the South East. “This is the Ohanaeze position and indeed that of the Igbo Leaders,” Dr. Ogbonnia affirmed.
Despite the threats, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, under the leadership of Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, will persist in its efforts to remind Igbo youths that internal violence contradicts the principles of a true freedom fighter. The organization stresses that the primary duty of a freedom fighter is to defend and protect their people, not to harm them. The destruction of the Igbo economy through the sit-at-home protests is seen as contrary to the central philosophy and aspirations of the Igbo community.
Dr. Ogbonnia reassured Mr. Simon Ekpa that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is concerned for his well-being and would never be involved in any harm against him. “The mischief makers are once again at work. There is no record where an officer of Ohanaeze has ever killed or taken part in a conspiracy to kill an Igbo or any person for that matter,” he declared.
He concluded by urging all Igbo, regardless of their views, to work together for the collective interest of the community.
E-Sign.
Dr. Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia
National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide
