February 18, (THEWILL) – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has commended the spirit of resilience and fortitude displayed by the states of old eastern Nigeria for not protesting against President Bola Tinubu amidst the economic hardship facing the country.
This was contained in a press statement issued on Sunday, by Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
He further noted that the Southeast has borne the brunt of governmental neglect since Buhari’s administration in 2015, ranging from exclusion from the centre, wanton demolition of Igbo properties to the burning of Igbo markets in Southwest among others, but the Igbos have suffered all these with calmness and equanimity.
According to him, the unjust incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu juxtaposed with the favoured treatment of figures like Sowore and Igboho, the injustices meted out to the Southeast are glaring.
“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 Southeast and South-South regions.
“The striking serenity and resolute silence amidst the prevalent anger and upheaval in the North and Southwest have left many, including the Presidency and the North, astounded.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the pre-eminent Igbo socio-cultural organisation and unwavering advocate for the Igbo people, commends the denizens of the Old Eastern region, particularly the Southeast, for their exceptional acumen and sagacity in abstaining from spearheading protests against President Tinubu and the Federal Government amid economic hardships.
“Since the inception of the Buhari regime in 2015 to the current Tinubu administration, the Southeast has borne the brunt of governmental neglect and discrimination. Whether it be the Center’s exclusions, the wanton demolition of Igbo properties in Lagos without federal intervention, the systematic burning of Igbo markets in the Southwest, 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 Southeast 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 Southeastern lives lost during past protests against Kanu’s detainment and the tragic Obigbo (Oyibo) Massacre in Rivers State.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo stands in awe of the Southeast populace for their undaunted bravery and rare insight in weathering the storm. We stand in solidarity with all suffering Igbos 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.
“Moreover, 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.
“The East stands firm like an unyielding rock amidst the turbulent national waters. Let this unwavering resolve of the Southeast serve as a clarion call for justice, equality, and reparation for the oppressed masses across the nation,” the statement read.
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Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
