Emma Elekwa
Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly has refuted viral social media post falsely attributed to President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata allegedly calling on Ndigbo to arm themselves in anticipation of an imminent war.
Leader of the group, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu in a statement on Sunday dismissed the report as unfounded, mischievous and clueless, calling for the arrest of those behind the rumour.
He described Mbata as renowned statesman and remarkable patriot with impeccable characters and outstanding track records and could never issue such call for arms.
While condemning such mischievous and false insinuations, Okpalaezeukwu urged the unsuspecting public to disregard the fake news.
The statement reads, “Our attention has been drawn to the unfounded mischievous and clueless allegations against the Leader of the Igbo Nation and renowned President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide- Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata, where he was accused of thus and I quote “Every Igbo Man from 18 years up must get a gun, stack weapons. Igbo land is under terrorist siege and must be defended. a war is coming in days.”
No call for arms
“THIS IS FAKE NEWS!, and We hereby categorically state that our Leader and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide did not and can never issue such a call for arms.
“Therefore, this malicious propaganda and criminal blackmail, for whatever purpose and intention, is dead on arrival.
“The Leader of the Igbo Sociocultural and Political Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide- Senator John Azuta Mbata is a renowned Statesman and remarkable Patriot with impeccable characters and outstanding track records.
“In strong terms, we condemn such mischievous and false insinuations and urge the unsuspecting public to disregard the fake news, and to consciously verify such sensitive content before dissemination, in order not to fall victim nor aid the peddlers of FAKE NEWS, indirectly or unknowingly.
“Nevertheless, this is a matter of National Security, and cannot be swept under the carpet.
“Sequel to the above, we call on the offices of- the National Security Adviser (ONSA), the Inspector General of Police(IGP), Director General of State Security Service (SSS) and other appropriate authority, to collectively deploy their widespread investigation mechanisms in order to detect, arrest and prosecute the sponsors and promoters of this expensive fake news that is tantamount to undermining our collective efforts for Stability, Peace and National Security.
Southeast challenges
“Igbo land, especially the South East is a peculiar terrain with unique challenges ranging from a fair share of the national insecurity, gross marginalization and neglect, absence of capital projects and National Development efforts for a better society.
“We therefore commend the recent efforts of the South East Development Commission for the South East Vision 2050 which is geared towards addressing most of the peculiar challenges of the Igbo Nation.
“Ohanaeze urges the Leadership and Management of the Commission not to resort to business as usual, but march words with actions rather than beautiful conferences and rhetoric.
“We also urge the Commission to work closely with the South East Sates Government and other Stakeholders and prioritize regional security as no meaningful development can thrive amidst insecurity.
“As we commend the genuine efforts of our Political Leaders and Security Agencies for safe and Secure communities, we respectfully call for Political solutions and Non kinetic approach to the hydra headed Security challenges facing us today as a Nation.”
