The Igbos for Progressive and United Nationhood (IPAN) has refuted claims from certain quarters alleging it was working against the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo World Wide.
National President, Comrade Lawrence Onuzulike who made the clarification in a chat with newsmen in Awka, Anambra State said there was no form of conflict between both groups.
The insinuations followed divergent activities of previous leaderships of the Ohaneze and disagreement with its approaches by many opinion leaders in Igbo land.
But Onuzulike dismissed the claims, maintaining his group has no grouse with the Ohaneze and were not working against each other as alleged.
He said both groups were pursuing same goals for the good of people of the Southeast.
He said, “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.”
Acknowledging the fact that the present Ohaneze leadership was delivering on its mandate, IPAN boss however believed there was room for improvement.
He expressed his group’s readiness to complement efforts of Ohaneze to ensure development and emancipation of Alaigbo, as well as guarantee safety of lives and property of Ndigbo across the globe.
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.”
