He released a statement to vehemently deny the claims as he described the reports as provocative and attempts to spoil his name.
Part of the statement reads “It has come to my notice that a news item is being peddled in IKETEX MEDIA TV alleging that I have been vindicated on my statement in 2020 that IPOB was responsible for the killings in the South East and that herdsmen were innocent of the killings.
“The puerile, mendacious and provocative story also credited me with saying that even the recent killings in Ebonyi State were carried out by IPOB and that it was not Governor Uzodimma and wouldn’t be cowed by IPOB and that any attack on my property would attract a reprisal attack from me on Afara ukwu.
“This is a terrible lie from the pit of hell and intended not just to tarnish my image but to set me on a collision course with IPOB. Let me state categorically that I have not stated or given anybody the impression that I was interested in the 2023 presidential race, neither does my body language suggest it.
“Furthermore, I couldn’t have indicted IPOB on killings in the South East when I have always held the view that they are my children and share in their grievances arising from the overt marginalisation of the Ibo in the country.
“In my inaugural speech as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 2017, and in my address at Chattam House in London, I had stated clearly and firmly that the struggle of IPOB is my struggle except that we differ in modalities because while they sought outright independence for Biafra, Ohanaeze Ndigbo stood for the restructuring of the nation in a united Nigeria.