Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, a prominent socio-political organization representing Nigerians from the southeast, has issued a directive advising individuals from the region against participating in a proposed nationwide protest. The call for protest emerged in response to the economic difficulties currently experienced across the country, prompting discussions among various groups about demonstrating both within Nigeria and abroad.
Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, announced this directive in Enugu on Monday. He revealed that he had been approached with requests to mobilize support from the southeastern geopolitical zone for what has been described as a violent demonstration against the government. In response, Iwuanyanwu has called for restraint, stating, “As your leader, I am directing that no Igbo group or community in Nigeria or in the diaspora should join any protest against this government.”
Iwuanyanwu is taking time to assess the situation and has queried the protestors about their stance and actions during previous administrations, particularly regarding issues that affected the Igbo community.
Acknowledging the current economic crisis as unfortunate, Iwuanyanwu has committed to organizing a meeting with leading Igbo economists and experts to devise strategies to navigate through these hardships. These experts are expected to offer advice to President Bola Tinubu on economic matters, with the Igbo community pledging support for the president’s tenure.
Iwuanyanwu emphasized the community’s preference for democratic governance over military rule, highlighting the particular vulnerabilities faced by Igbo youths when expressing their grievances. He pointed to the treatment of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as an example of the disproportionate consequences faced by Igbo youths compared to their counterparts from other tribes.
Moreover, Iwuanyanwu expressed concern over the large number of Igbo youths detained in correctional facilities for minor infractions and addressed the longstanding issue of marginalization in the Southeast. He noted the geopolitical zone’s disadvantage, being the only one with five states, leading to significant financial, political, and representational losses.
The President-General recalled that the creation of an additional state in the Southeast had been recommended during political conferences in 2005 and 2014, yet no action has been taken to date. Iwuanyanwu warned that if the Federal Government and the National Assembly fail to address this issue, he is prepared to pursue legal action.
