“Northerners Planning To Attack & Take Over Igbo Businesses” – Ohanaeze Threatens Reprisal

Ohanaeze youths have threatened reprisal if the Igbo are attacked in the North before, during and after the elections.

The youths under the aegis of the Ohanaeze Youths Council (OYC) promised to work with other ethnic nationalities, especially the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), to ensure the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

The Executive Council of the group, led by its President, Chief Okechukwu Isiguzoro, spoke in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, yesterday after a visit to the IYC President, Mr. Udens Eradiri.

He urged the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF), who is also the Niger State governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, to advise his colleagues to ensure security for the Igbo.
Isiguzoro said although the Igbo were advised to remain calm, any attack on them would be retaliated in the Southeast and Southsouth.

He said the call for NGF to provide security became necessary, following security reports that some northerners were planning to instigate violence to take over the businesses and homes of the Igbo.

The youth leader said the people were angry because most Ndigbo supported Jonathan’s re-election.
Isiguzoro, who inaugurated the Bayelsa State chapter of the OYC, led by Chief Chinedu Aturchukwu, said they were awaiting a statement from Governor Aliyu to reassure the Igbo of their safety.
He said if the governor failed, the Igbo would have no option but to begin the exodus to their ancestral homes.

His words:

“Although we have asked the Igbo in the North to remain calm and stay focused on voting for President Jonathan, we have uncovered a plot by some elements in the North to promote tension and cripple the Igbo businesses worth billions of naira.

“They are also planning to take over their businesses. We urge Governor Aliyu to assure the Igbo of their safety because if there is any attack on them, there will be retaliation.”