The Igbos for Progressive and United Nationhood, IPAN on Wednesday, insisted that it is presently not in any form of conflict with the apex Igbo socio-cultural, the Ohaneze Ndigbo World wide.
The National President of IPAN, Comrade Lawrence Onuzulike made the position clear in a chat with our correspondent at a cultural event in Awka.
His comments were in response to claims by several quarters that both Igbo groups were working against each other over varying interests.
The insinuations stemmed from divergent activities of previous leaderships of the Ohaneze Ndigbo and the disagreement with their approaches by many opinion leaders in Igbo land.
But in his words, Onuzulike said against the claims, they do not have any kind of grouse with the Ohaneze.
According to him, both groups are actually pursuing the same goals for the good of people of the Southeast.
The IPAN President, however noted that the IPAN was created years ago when it appeared Ohaneze was redundant, and not serving the interests of the generality of the Igbo populace.
“What happened was that there was a time Ndigbo felt that Ohaneze was no longer representing their interests.
“It was just like about 5 or 6 people sitting down in Enugu and talking on the pages of newspapers. When there is any kind of calamity on Igbo people like killings and destruction of means of livelihood, you will not see them come to help but you will always see them talking to Aso Rock on the pages of newspapers.
”Igbo people will have issues in Indonesia, South Africa and other places but you will not see Ohaneze do anything then.
“So that gave birth to IPAN, because they wanted an organization that will represent Igbos very well. An organization run by the youths for Ndigbo. One that can go to the streets and protest and fight and say enough is enough.
“When Igbos suffered during the last Presidential Election in Lagos, we were all over the place and our protests and agitations yielded great results. Even though we fight for a country where everyone will be at peace, we will not allow you kill our people or destroy their means of livelihood just like that,” he said.
Onuzulike however noted that the present Ohaneze leadership is delivering on its mandate, although he believes they should still do more.
He said IPAN is poised to complement the efforts of Ohaneze to ensure the development and emancipation of Alaigbo, as well as to guarantee the safety of the lives and property of Igbos all over the world.
He said; “IPAN came as a child of necessity and ever since, we have never waivered in that commitment to give Igbos the protection and solidarity they deserve.
“Across the world, Igbos live and own various businesses, also doing exploits in diverse professions and vocations.
“All we are after is that they co-exist alongside their hosts in peace. We are not troublesome people but renowned entrepreneurs and economic drivers and any society that integrates Igbos properly into their scheme of things will reap the benefits, thereof.
“Perhaps, this is why Nigeria as a country has not realized its full potential, because the Igbos are still feeling marginalized and excluded.
“The moment the country allows the ingenuity and capacity of the Igbos to be explored to the fullest, the nation will begin to experience massive turnaround all-round.”
