October 15, (THEWILL) – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has asked the international community to prevail on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on the need for a dialogue over the rising tension in the South-East zone of the country.
The group made the appeal in a statement issued by its secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
It said only dialogue would see to the resolution of the heightened insecurity and secessionist agitation in the zone.
The statement reads: “We called for a fresh conversation between the Federal Government and Ndigbo on issues on Biafra agitation and the rationale behind the ideologies of the secessionist movements in Nigeria. We don’t know why the Federal Government is shying away from dialogue and playing the ostrich.
“We are calling on the international community to pressurize President Muhammadu Buhari to see genuine reasons for a dialogue with Igbo, for peaceful coexistence, and resolving the issues that will restore confidence and guarantee security in the Southeast.
“This is a trying time for Southeastern Nigeria. The International community should step in to ensure that there is a dialogue between Buhari and Ndigbo, without interference from politicians. Incorruptible Igbo leaders should lead the discussion.
“It’s time for the UK, USA, China and others to wade into the crisis in Southeastern Nigeria.
“Ndigbo are ready for actions that will bring solutions to the security challenges in the South-East.
“UK, USA, and China should show attention to the causes of insecurity and violence in the Southeast and make President Buhari see reason to sit down with Igbo for dialogue.
“There are unseen hands-on the recent crisis and they are happy to see to the destruction of the South-East for the second time after 1970.”
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