The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi has sent a message to the President-elect, Bola Tinubu on how to handle the grievances of the Igbo people in the country.
The monarch advised Tinubu to convene a special conference to address the tension caused by the general elections.
Speaking via a statement personally signed by him, the Oluwo lamented that some utterances of some Igbos leaders towards the just concluded general elections have further unraveled the pain of Igbos.
He said, “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 monarch advised Tinubu to work towards a united nation so the citizenry could grow faster in unison.
He noted that a national dialogue would foster unity and heal the nation. He urged Nigerians to learn from the past, forgive and forget.
“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,” he added.
