The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurasheed Akanbi wants president-elect, Bola Tinubu to convene a special conference to address Igbo peoples’ grievances towards achieving a united Nigeria.
In a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Sunday by his media aide, Alli Ibrahim, the Monarch added that the attitudes and utterances of some Igbos leaders towards the just concluded general elections have further unraveled the pain of Igbos and appealed for a national discussion with a view to cementing the unity of the country.
The statement partly reads; “The spirit of brotherhood should be seen and experienced. Nigerians are different kegs of water. The colour of the kegs is our language while the content remains the same. We should respect the content irrespective of the colour.
“The attitude and utterances of some Igbos have pointed to the fact that, the wound and damages incurred by the Nigerian Civil War of July, 1967 to 15th January, 1970 were still fresh. The Igbos counted highest loss of human lives and properties. They are our brothers. The injury inflicted by the war is inimical to the unity of Nigeria.
“I know the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to be a smart leader. He should prioritize the unity of Nigeria through reintegration of Igbos to further cement the unity of Nigeria. The president elect needs to reach out to them. We are all one spirit in a body”
“The president elect should work on a united nation. We are better off and could grow faster in unison. Our difference in culture and language is a strength under a competent leader.
“Calling a national dialogue will foster unity and heal the wound inflicted by the harm. We should learn from the past, forgives ourselves and forget. But for dreamed unity to be achieved, the constituted authority to be led by the President-elect must lead the conference and render succour to the lead victims.
“As a father to the nation, I patronize everyone. I’m the first traditional ruler in Nigeria to buy made in Nigeria Innoson vehicle. Let’s engage the leaders of Igbos most especially their traditional heads. The dialogue can be extended to the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu. It’s always better for all of us to jawjaw and not warwar. I’m hopeful Ohaneze Indigbo leaders will listen . A civil means should be applied for address the hatred in the minds of some Igbos. I am the Oluwo of Iwoland but I am also an Igwe,Obi, Eze in Yorubaland to all Igbos. Igbos are our brothers and sisters.
“I will always be there to advise this government. And will always be willing and happy to serve in any committee tailor towards cementing the unity of Nigeria. I pray for a successful tenure of office for the President-elect”.
