Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural group, has praised the Igbo people for not joining in the series of protests against the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, a chieftain of apex group, on Sunday, commended people of the Southeast for noted that the South-east people deserved commendation for remaining calm in the face of spiraling protests over the economic hardship across the country.
Isiguzoro added that the area has always been a victim of government neglect since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari till now.
He urged Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference amid the hardship confronting Nigeria.
In a statement he signed, Isiguzoro, who is the factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze said: “In the wake of nationwide uproar and agitation sparked by escalating living costs, economic distress, and famine, a resolute calmness emanates from the Old Eastern Nigeria, comprising the South-east and South-South region.
“The striking serenity and resolute silence amidst the prevalent anger and upheaval in the North and South-west have left many, including the Presidency and the North, astounded.
“Since the inception of the Buhari regime in 2015 to the current Tinubu administration, the South-east has borne the brunt of governmental neglect and discrimination.
“Whether it be the Centre’s exclusions, the wanton demolition of Igbo properties in Lagos without federal intervention, the systematic burning of Igbo markets in the South-west, minimal federal ministerial appointments, or the unjust incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu juxtaposed with the favoured treatment of figures like Sowore and Igboho, the injustices meted out to the South-east are glaring.
“As protests surge in Niger, Kano, Lagos, Osun, and Abuja, the absence of casualties or protester killings, resulting from security intervention starkly contrasts with the haunting memories of South-eastern lives lost during past protests against Kanu’s detainment and the tragic Obigbo (Oyibo) Massacre in Rivers State.
The Ohanaeze leader called for an overhaul of Tinubu’s economic team. He also criticised the government for threatening the people and asked it to implement the recommendations of the 2014 national conference instead.
“Ohanaeze stands in awe of the South-east populace for their undaunted bravery and rare insight in weathering the storm. We stand in solidarity with all suffering Igbo and Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to overhaul President Tinubu’s floundering economic team with competent hands to salvage the crumbling economy before it collapses completely,” Isiguzoro added.
“Instead of issuing hollow threats to disillusioned citizens, the government should heed the voices of reason and implement the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference to quell the mounting dissent and rebellion.”
