The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has firmly stated that the seven Igbo-speaking states will not partake in the nationwide June 12 Democracy Day protest planned across Nigeria.
In a press release obtained in Abakaliki, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the National Deputy President of a faction of Ohanaeze, clarified that this decision is a protective measure, not an abandonment of civic duty. He emphasized that the choice aims to shield Igbo lives and assets, which have historically been targets during civil unrest.
Isiguzoro explained that while protests may be permitted in other regions, any form of demonstration in the Southeast would be ill-advised due to heightened insecurity. He stressed that the Igbo people will not engage in national protests unless the federal government addresses long-standing issues affecting them.
“Following consultations with prominent Igbo leaders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo affirms that the Southeast will not participate in the June 12 protests,” the statement read. “This strategic decision seeks to protect our communities and resist further victimization.”
Ohanaeze cited historical precedents where the Igbo were unjustly blamed and brutalized during national protests, despite their active participation. The statement recalled over six decades of perceived injustice, betrayal, and exclusion.
Key demands highlighted by the group include:
- Immediate and unconditional release of Igbo prisoners of conscience, especially Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
- End to selective justice, pointing out disparities in the legal treatment of detained activists from different ethnic groups.
- Acknowledgment of Igbo grievances and a commitment to resolving them before further national involvement.
The organization also sent a message to President Bola Tinubu, warning that the Southeast’s decision should not be misread as weakness. According to Ohanaeze, the Igbo remain committed to democratic ideals, but not at the cost of further marginalization and insecurity.
“June 12 is symbolic of Nigeria’s struggle for democracy. While we respect its significance, the Igbo nation must prioritize safety and justice,” the group concluded.
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