Ohaneze Ndigbo tells Buhari to focus his comments regarding hate speech on his own supporters

PAN-Igbo cultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari's recent nationwide address as wholly inadequate as among other things it failed to blame the government's supporters for being the ones behind hate speech in the country.

On Saturday, president Buhari returned to Nigeria after spending 105 days in the UK and yesterday, he delivered he delivered a nationwide address. In his broadcast, President Buhari sought to address many of the problems that had been plaguing the country while he was away, including calls for secession, the growth in hate speech and a rise in ethnic intolerance.

However, after a meeting in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, Ohaneze Ndigbo said President Buhari refused to place the blame where it lay. Ohaneze Ndigbo publicity secretary Prince Achi Okpaga, added that on hate speeches, the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) was responsible for such, advising them to first purge themselves before accusing others.

Prince Okpaga added: “I join other well-meaning Nigerians in thanking God for the president’s miraculous recovery. It is however pertinent for the government to get on with business and start implementing the budget to the fullest.

"This administration has less than two years to prove its mettle, in all ramifications to Nigerians. I am tempted to observe that the achievement the government is crediting to itself is a mere political choreography."

Meanwhile, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (Massob) has said it is hypocritical of President Buhari to believe in one Nigeria. Massob leader Uchenna Madu, said this while disagreeing with the president’s remark on the unity of Nigeria.

 Mr Madu added: “We the people of Biafra can never be deceived by a man fully blooded with religious, ethnic sentimental and hatred against the people of Biafra. Buhari in his inner sense of reasoning believes that with his kinsmen occupying the military positions of service chiefs, including all the most senior military offices/positions, he will easily crush Biafra.

“Maybe with his intimidating tendencies over Igbo governors, National Assembly members, religious/opinion/ political leaders, he still thinks he can crush Biafra.”