The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has warned that the attack on the Labour Party members during their meetings, under the pretence of scouting for Fulani supporters and gunmen, should be stopped.
Ohanaeze gave the warning in reaction to the Saturday's attack on members of Labour Party in Nomeh Primary School in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The gunmen suspected to be also political thugs had accused the Labour Party members of bringing “Fulani” to “Biafra land.”
Nomeh's would be the third time gunmen masquerading as Biafra separatists would be targeting the meeting venues of Labour Party.
The first was in Aninri after officials of Enugu State government denied the party access to a hall. The second attack occurred in Awgu local government and now, the third took place in Nkanu East LGA of the state.
But reacting to the development in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu, Ohanaeze directed all community leaders, local government chairmen and leaders of various youth groups in all the communities in Igboland to desist from such attacks.
The statement titled: "Disruption Of Labour Party Meeting," was signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Alex Ogbonnia.
"Attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to the unprovoked attack and disruption of a Labour Party meeting on Saturday, September 25, 2022 in Nomeh, Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State.
"It is inconceivable that at a time eminent persons and groups from all over the world are embracing the Labour Party as the quintessence of equity, justice, hope, economic emancipation, social Risorgimento and inter-ethnic unity in Nigeria, some disgruntled scoundrels are busy disrupting their meetings at the grassroots in the South-East.
"We hope that we are speaking to the hearts of many, that it sends a very wrong signal about the very core essence for which the Igbo are known.
"Ohanaeze warns that this should be the last time such incidents will be recorded in any part of Igbo land."
It added, "Emphasis is made that the character of social structure in Igbo land imposes huge responsibilities on the traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, the community vigilantes and ultimately the chairmen of the local governments as the chief security officers.
"In other words, all the security officers at each unit of Igbo administration are hereby requested to ensure that there will never be a repeat of such irresponsible unwarranted and shameful embarrassment to the Igbo."
Ogbonnia noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Ambassador George Obiozor maintained that all political parties of all persuasions are free to market their manifestoes and canvass for votes in all the country; but warned "nothing in the wildest imagination should compel the so called unknown gunmen or the vile partisans masquerading as political leaders to employ the use of thugs to disrupt or attack political meetings in Igbo land."
The Igbo apex body warned the renegades who have made themselves the willing tools to antagonise the Igbo spirit, must realise the consequences that await them.
"On the other hand, if one must work for his party or a candidate of his choice, such narrow interests must never go the extra mile to jeopardise the general Igbo interest."