The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has exonerated Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State from any involvement in a plot against the possible release of Nnamdi Kanu, as alleged by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Ohanaeze insisted that Nwifuru is a committed Igbo political leader who would not work against the possible release of Kanu.
IPOB had named some top Igbo political leaders working against Kanu’s release.
A statement by IPOB named Nwifuru as one of those working against Kanu’s release.
However, the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said indicting Nwifuru was a costly mistake.
A statement by Isiguzoro reads: “Our attention is drawn to the indictments by IPOB that some highly placed political elites have been holding clandestine and nocturnal meetings against the possible release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“However, we are certain that Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, is not involved in this plot.
“There must be a mix-up somewhere, and we believe it’s a costly mistake to get an innocent man involved in this indictment.”
While the organisation clarifies that they do not speak on behalf of the Governor of Ebonyi, they believe that it is the responsibility of Igbo leadership to exonerate an innocent man whose name may have been wrongly implicated.
“We assure IPOB that Governor Nwifuru remains concerned about the welfare and well-being of residents and indigenous people of Ebonyi State.
“Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to serving his people and driving development in Ebonyi State has been widely recognised, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands behind his integrity and leadership,” he said.
