Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stated emphatically that the South-East region’s residents will not participate in the planned nationwide demonstrations against President Bola.
He underscored that the people have distinct perspectives and priorities that diverge from the national protest agenda.
Set for August 1st to 10th, 2024, the protest targets the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. This ten-day event is designed to highlight the pressing financial issues and urge the government to respond.
Isiguzoro, in a Tuesday statement from Abakaliki, asserted that Igbos would refuse to be used again, highlighting that the South-East has been treated as sacrificial lambs in previous protests.
Isiguzoro highlighted that prior riots have resulted in considerable losses of Igbo lives and properties, pointing to the profound impact on the South-East.Isiguzoro reiterated that what matters most to the South-East is the release of Nnamdi Kanu, not taking part in the national protests.
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The statement reads, “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 organization, has taken a firm stance on the upcoming protests scheduled from August 1st-10th, 2024.
“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 Igbos at home and in diaspora to refrain from participating in the Nationwide Protests scheduled for August 1st-10th, 2024, for the following reasons.
It has been pointed out that the Southeast region’s fragile security environment makes it ill-advised to permit any form of public demonstration or disorder. Such actions could escalate the existing security risks and have unintended consequences.