By Okey Maduforo
The apex Pan Igbo organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the weekend described as untrue and total falsehood reports that it has ordered former Anambra State government, Mr. Peter Obi, to return monies allegedly collected by him from Fulani herdsmen and Boko Haram terrorists.
The report alleged that Ohanaeze Ndigbo and its youth wing accused the former governor of negotiating with the dreaded Fulani herdsmen to secure grazing zones for them in the South East.
Reacting to the report the President general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. Enwo Igbariweh told The Niche that at no time did the group hold any meeting let alone accusing Obi of negotiating with the Fulani herdsmen.
“This is total falsehood aimed at maligning the image of our organization.
“We do not have any problem with Mr. Peter Obi.
Those going about spreading such rumours should be mindful of its grave consequences at the long run.
“We are not aware of any form of meeting or negotiation between Peter Obi and the Fulani herdsmen let alone knowing what transpired between them.
Peter Obi is a true son of Igbo land and his name should not be used by some desperate people to score cheep political point.
“Much as Ohanaeze Ndigbo had earlier made its position clear on the Fulani herdsmen in Igbo land, people should not use that as an opportunity to make malicious and baseless allegations against the former governor using the Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”
Similarly, the Anambra Solidarity Forum (ASF) in a statement warned that it would not take kindly to any act of name dropping by those it called political desperadoes, insisting that the former governor is innocent of the allegations leveled against him.
According to its cordinator, Mr. Ferguson Okpara, who spoke with reporters in Awka:
“Our attention has been drawn to allegations by some political jobbers and desperadoes linking our former governor, Mr. Peter Obi, with the issuance of grazing sites for the Fulani herdsmen in the South East.
“To this end we wish to make it clear that Mr. Peter Obi has nothing to do with the herdsmen or the Boko Haram terrorists. It is a known fact that the eight years of his regime was a success story and the good name and image has been a source of worry to the enermies of Anambra State and Igbo race.
“We know that this allegation is coming from those who are afraid of his ambition to represent Anambra Central Senatorial zone at the National Assembly.
These people have been fighting from all fronts to destroy his reputation and have not succeeded.
“One wonders why people are afraid of going in for an election rather they wish to be given the senatorial position without contest.
“We, the Anambra Solidarity Forum, will not watch and allow such interlopers and job seekers continue to run down responsible Igbo men and women in the name of politics.”
