Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the social cultural Igbo organisation has declared the south unsafe for the nationwide protest declared by some Nigerians over the worsening economic situation in the country.
The group said any protest at this time will only escalates the security situation in the region, and has warned its people not to take part in the August 1-10 planned nationwide protests by some Nigerians.
The magazine reported that the organisers of the protest are planning to do so, to force government’s intervention over the current hardship in the country.
The organisers are also demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB who is currently being tried by the government over issues related to terrorism.
Recall that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imi state, and other well meaning Igbo leaders have cautioned people of the region not to protest against the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying his government has tried for the region in the area of development.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group said the aftermath of the protest will not end well for Ndigbo.
He explained that similar protests in the past has not favoured the people of the south east, which he said have been marginalised in the country.
For instance, Isiguzoro said past protests in the country including the 1978 “ALI MUST GO”, the 1989 anti-SAP riots, the 1993 June 12 protests, the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, and the 2020 END SARS protests, did not portend well for Ndigbo.
He said significant protests in the country had ended up with Igbo being made the “sacrificial lambs of the turmoil.”
The statement said, “First and foremost, the prevailing security challenges in the Southeast region pose insurmountable obstacles to the safe conduct of protests and riots. In recognition of this reality, any Nationwide Protest scheduled within the Southeast is hereby revoked, with a clear directive that Igbos will not partake.
“Enforcing such protests risks exacerbating the existing security dilemmas in the Southeast, creating opportunities for criminal elements and external Igbo detractors to exploit the situation and instigate further chaos. Thus, it is in the best interest of all concerned parties to refrain from organizing any protests within the region.
“Secondly, the fear of Igbos once again being perceived as sacrificial lambs in the forthcoming nationwide protests is a legitimate concern. In this regard, OHANAEZE NDIGBO calls upon Igbo residents in the 19 northern states and Southwest regions to boycott the looming protests for their safety and security.”
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