By Johnson Nwankwo
A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Tuesday, called on the Igbo to boycott the planned nationwide protest against some harsh policies of the Tinubu administration. The protest is scheduled from August 1st-10th, 2024.
The faction, in a release signed by its secretary general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said the participation of Ndigbo in the protest would be counter-productive as Ndigbo might be made sacrificial lambs. Isiguzoro reflected how Ndigbo fared during such protest in the past, and called for lessons to be learnt.
He referred to the 17th April, 1978 Ali-Must-Go Protests, the 24th May, 1989 Anti-SAP Riots against the regime of Gen Babangida, the 1993 June 12 protests, the 2nd-14th January 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, and the 20th October 2020 End-SARS-Protest, noting that “it is evident that Igbos have often been unfairly treated as sacrificial lambs amidst the turmoil”.
He said, “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.”
The group called on Igbo residents in the 19 northern states and southwest regions to boycott the protests, adding that, “Demonstrating restraint and prudence by avoiding involvement in the protests is imperative to safeguard their well-being during this period.”
The organization pledged its full support to the southeast governors in ensuring robust security arrangements throughout the protest timeline, urging Igbos in the region to resume their regular business activities during August 2024.
The faction reiterated its commitment to prioritizing the safety and well-being of the Igbo people, advocating peace and prudence as the optimal means to safeguard the interests of the southeast region.
Our correspondent reports that some of the issues prompting the planned protest are the unilateral removal of fuel subsidy, furnishing of Vice President’s Lodge in Abuja, planned purchase of another presidential jet, and the delay in implementing a living wage for Nigerian workers by the federal government.
