Former spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chuks Ibegbu, asked Ndigbo on Monday to support the new President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
He made the call in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.
Ibegbu also asked aggrieved persons to sheathe their swords in the overall interest of the Igbo nation.
According to him: “I contested the election that brought our revered leader, the late Professor George Obiozor, and I had my misgivings about the election.
“However, today, Chief Iwuanyanwu has emerged. Ndigbo is in a tight corner today, and we need a stable Ohanaeze.”
He called on Iwuanyanwu to stretch out his hand to all aggrieved persons and give Ndigbo quality leadership at this point in time.
The ex-national officer of the apex Igbo umbrella body also asked Igbo stakeholders in Rivers State to meet urgently and decide on who should replace the late Ohanaeze Deputy President-General from the state, ensure that such a person enjoys the confidence of Ndigbo at home and in the diaspora, including all states.
He admonished the Nigerian judicial arm of government to be impartial and God-fearing in the adjudication of election petitions in the tribunals.
Ibegbu also frowned at the sudden increase in the price of petrol owing to the removal of fuel subsidy, regretting that this came at a time Nigerians emerged from a hugely disputed election and an inhuman currency exchange.
The Igbo chieftain urged the federal government to halt the policy, go back to the drawing board, and come up with a template that will see all critical stakeholders agree on an affordable price towards cushioning its harsh effects on the citizens.
“After all, the political and business elites have been benefiting from the fuel subsidy, removal or not has no effect on them but on the suffering Nigerian masses.
“Why should a country richly blessed with oil and gas allow its citizens to be in this hell? Why are our refineries not working? What of modular refineries? Who advised on this horrible policy just a few days after swearing in?” Ibegbu queried.
