Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, President General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) in an interview with Lanre News highlighted why Igbos disputed late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, a foremost Yoruba leader.
Our reporter, Rasheed Opeyemi asked him; “Your group condemned the new alliance between the advocates of Oduduwa republic and Biafra. You said what Awolowo did to the Igbo people can never be forgotten. What exactly is Awolowo’s offence?”
His full response below:
Chief Obafemi Awolowo was a widely accepted Yoruba leader. He was Jailed in 1964, at Calabar Prison at the province of Old Eastern Region.
He had a deal with then Colonel Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to release him from detention, with promises of the declaration of purported Oduduwa Republic and Biafra Republic simultaneously.
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Unfortunately, Awolowo betrayed Ojukwu and fought against his friend from the side of Nigeria.
Chief Awolowo’s Economic Policies dealt decisive blows on Biafrans between 1967-1970.
His Economic policies like the change of currency and starvation measures brought untold miseries with kwashiorkor that led to the death of over 2 million Biafrans especially children and women.
As if that wasn’t enough, after the war, he made it compulsory for every Igbo to be given 20 pounds irrespective of the millions you have in the bank.
But definitely, Awolowo’s betrayal strengthened the enthusiasm and vigour of Igbo and Igbo cities were rebuilt immediately after the war.
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