Pan Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndiigbo and the Afenifere Renewal Group, have opposed the Federal Government's plan to clamp down on the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra and the Oodua People's Congress.
In his 234-page mid-term report presented to Nigerians as part of the activities marking the nation's 2013 Democracy Day, President Goodluck Jonathan said the OPC, MASSOB and the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, constituted threats to national security.
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze, Mr. Tony Oganah, however told SUNDAY PUNCH that the group was against any plan to clamp down on MASSOB.
He said MASSOB had not engaged in any illegal activity, to warrant the Federal Government describing it as a threat to national security.
He said, "Just last week, the Ime Obi, which is the highest decision-making body of Ohanaeze, advised Mr. President that MASSOB is not one of his problems. It said MASSOB has not done anything illegal. MASSOB members have not killed anybody; they have not kidnapped anybody; they have not bombed any oil well. All they are seeking is self-determination, which is permitted by the constitution.
"If there is a planned clampdown on MASSOB, Ohanaeze thinks it is ill-advised and will not yield any fruit. Igbo people are not enemies of this government. All we are seeking is a peaceful environment where we can prosper as entrepreneurs. MASSOB and OPC do not belong to the group with Boko Haram."
Similarly, the National Media/Publicity Secretary of ARG, Mr. Kunle Famoriyo, said OPC had not threatened the peace and existence of the country.
He said instead of clamping down on OPC and MASSOB, the Federal Government should put the ex-Niger Delta militant leader, Asari Dokubo, and other militant groups in the South-South under surveillance.
He said, "OPC has never threatened the existence of the country. OPC is our vigilance group in the South-West. It has been protecting lives and property in Yorubaland. OPC has not made the kind of statements that Asari Dokubo made recently, saying there will be crisis in the Niger Delta if Jonathan does not go for second term.
"That amounts to threat to the economy and our democracy, because they are threatening that if Jonathan is not returned unopposed, they will bomb oil installations. It means that the Niger Delta militants are set to undermine our democracy and national security. So, after Boko Haram, the Federal Government should go after Niger Delta militants not OPC or MASSOB."
He added that if the FG clamps down on OPC and MASSOB, they might become a bigger threat.
The Punch