Imo visit: No matter how rough, Igbo won’t leave Nigeria, Ohanaeze tells Buhari

The President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, gave the assurance at a town hall meeting between Buhari and South East leaders on Thursday.

He was quoted as saying this in a statement by Buhari’s media aide, Femi Adesina, titled, ‘I want to be remembered as a president who stabilised Nigeria, President Buhari tells South-East leaders’, on Thursday.

The Ohanaeze president said, “Ndigbo are committed to Nigerian unity and there is news for those trying to push us out of Nigeria.

‘‘Ndigbo in Nigeria are like fish in the ocean and no matter how rough the storm is, it cannot drive the fish out of the ocean.

“Mr President, it is in this context, that we see a new dawn in your distinguished presence in Igbo land and believe that on your return to Abuja the significance and substance of this visit will form new foundation of a platform for meaningful dialogue on critical issues of concern to the Igbo nation.”

On his part, Buhari described attempts by some Igbo men to leave Nigeria as as “unthinkable”.

Acknowledging the resourcefulness and enterprising spirit of Igbo people, Buhari said, “The fundamental thing about the Igbo people is that there is no town you will visit in Nigeria without seeing the Igbos being in-charge of either infrastructure or pharmaceutical industry.

‘‘Therefore, it is unthinkable for me that any Igbo man would consider himself not to be a part of Nigeria.