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The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has said the people of South-East zone will not participate in the proposed nationwide protests against President Bola.
The protest billed for August 1-10, 2024, is against the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
However, Okechukwu lsiguzoro, the factional Secretary-general of Ohanaeze, has stated that the South-east geopolitical zone would not be part of it.
Isiguzoro, in a statement he issued in Abakaliki, said the Ndigbo would not be as sacrificial lambs as was the case in previous riots, which led to huge losses of Igbo lives and properties.
“As Nigerians prepare for nationwide protests against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to express their frustrations over the harsh economic conditions and rising prices of essential commodities and petroleum products, OHANAEZE NDIGBO, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has taken a firm stance on the upcoming protests scheduled from August 1st-10th, 2024,” the statement read.
“Drawing from the painful history of past riots and protests in Nigeria, such as the 17th April 1978 ALI MUST GO Protests, the 24th May 1989 ANTI-SAP RIOTS, the 1993 June 12 protests, the 2nd-14th January 2012 OCCUPY NIGERIA protests, and the 20th October 2020 END SARS protests, which resulted in immense losses of Igbo lives and properties, OHANAEZE NDIGBO highlights the fact that Igbos have often been used as sacrificial lambs in the course of these protests.
“In the interest of protecting the lives and properties of Igbos across the country, OHANAEZE NDIGBO has made the decision to direct Igbo at home and in the Diaspora to refrain from participating in the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1st-10th, 2024, for the following reasons.
“Firstly, the security challenges in the Southeast region make it imprudent to allow any form of protest or riot to occur. Any attempt to enforce protests in the Southeast will only exacerbate the already precarious security situation in the region.
“Extremists and criminals may take advantage of such protests to instigate violence, loot properties, and cause chaos. Therefore, it is not advisable for any protests to take place in the Southeast.
“Secondly, with the fear of Igbos being used as sacrificial lambs in the upcoming protests nationwide, OHANAEZE NDIGBO advises Igbo residents in the 19 Northern States and Southwest to boycott the protests for their own safety and security. Staying away from the protests is crucial to safeguarding their well-being.”
Isiguzoro stated that the region is more interested in the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, than taking part in the nationwide protests.
The statement added: “Lastly, OHANAEZE NDIGBO emphasizes that the release of Nnamdi Kanu is of utmost importance to the Southeast region. The organisation believes that engaging in protests against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not bring about the desired outcome, but rather, the release of Nnamdi Kanu will demonstrate good faith on the part of the President towards the Igbo people.”
