Igbo Leaders Rally Behind Ohanaeze’s ‘No Hardship Protest’

In a resolute move, South East leaders and stakeholders have thrown their weight behind the ‘no hardship protest’ advocated by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural body. The leaders, who convened in an emergency meeting at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu, expressed unanimous support for the reasons outlined by Ohanaeze Ndigbo for abstaining from the planned nationwide protest.

The meeting, attended by current and former members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, captains of industry, the clergy, and academics, focused on the state of the Nigerian nation and its impact on the Igbo community.

Chaired by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the gathering commended Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s decision that no Igbo group should participate in the protest, emphasizing that the Igbo have long been marginalized in the country’s affairs.

The leaders highlighted persisting injustices, such as the South East being the only geopolitical zone with just five states and 95 local government areas compared to another zone’s 188 local government areas. They lamented the financial, political, and legislative losses suffered by the Igbo due to this disparity.

The communiqué addressed the impact of the sit-at-home protests in the South East, attributing them to the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It emphasized that the federal government’s reluctance to address the issue has intensified the challenges faced by the Igbo and Nigerians at large.

Against this backdrop, the leaders cautioned Igbo youths against becoming pawns in the political landscape, asserting that presenting themselves as cannon fodders would be foolhardy given the ongoing political climate.

Expressing concern over rising unemployment, poverty, and the escalating cost of goods and services, the leaders urged Ndigbo to harness their spirit of brotherliness, hard work, ingenuity, and resilience to overcome adversities.

The meeting concluded by advising Igbo governors, council chairmen, traditional rulers, and town union presidents to prioritize massive agricultural production for sustainable food security. Additionally, they called for heightened security measures and declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating their intention to convene an expanded meeting to chart the way forward for the Igbo community.