Group warns Ndigbo against joining August protest, begs Tinubu to heed calls for release of Nnamdi Kanu
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
An Igbo socio-cultural organization has described the youth protest to end bad governance in Nigeria being planned for next month as an “ill-conceived call for calamity” and advised Ndigbo against participating in the protest.
This advice is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a crucial meeting of the parent body of a nascent group known as Igbo Nine Development Initiative in Umuahia, Abia State capital.
The communiqué, endorsed by Abia State Coordinator on Igbo Nine Development Initiative, Comrade Lucky Akabuike, and Scribe, Comrade Uzomba Ekwuribe, said the call on Ndigbo to distance themselves from the upcoming protest was predicated on the ugly experiences of the past where Ndigbo were made scapegoats and had to bear the brunt of such protests.
Adducing reasons why the proposed protest should be shelved, the communiqué stressed that Nigeria was experiencing precarious situations and, as such, the protest could spiral out of control and produce unpleasant consequences.
According to the leaders of Abia State Branch of the socio-cultural group, “the parent body of Igbo Nine Development Initiative, a socio-cultural organization of South East extraction, met in Umuahia, Abia State, on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, and reviewed current developments in the country and resolved as follows:
“That the ill-conceived call for calamity through street protest is akin to a call for anarchy. The precarious situation of affairs in the country cannot tolerate the volatility of such unpatriotic invitation,” the communiqué read in part.
Furthermore, Igbo Nine Development Initiative, while urging Ndigbo to shun the protest, said “Ndigbo, both young and old, are advised to stay away from every street protest as the consequences may be untold even when Ndigbo would end up as casualties of such actions. As they say: “First fool no be fool, second fool na proper foolish.”
Rather that resort to anything that could brew crisis, Igbo Nine preached peace, calling on Nigerians to rally round Mr. President in his efforts to steer the ship of the state ashore, safely.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves the support and cooperation of all to assist him in navigating through the daunting challenges of this time,” the group stated.
However, it also pleaded with President Tinubu to heed the call by Igbo leaders for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“We call on Mr. President to magnanimously heed the call of the South East Governors ably led by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to unconditionally release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the communiqué stated.
Recall that South East Governors Forum, during its recent meeting in Enugu, the South East regional capital, appealed to Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally. The call came on the heels of a letter written to the President by about 50 lawmakers from the House of Representatives, urging President Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for peace and economic regeneration in the South East.
Igbo Nine Development Initiative also celebrated the recent judgement by the Supreme Court granting autonomy to the local government system in Nigeria, saying it was one of the best things to happen to the country.
“The Supreme Court judgement granting autonomy to the third tier of government,” the group said, “is the best thing that has happened to the country in recent times as it has restored hope to the common man and integrity to the Nigerian judiciary.”
