The Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Sunday, commended people of the South-East for their calmness in abstaining from the series of protests against President Bola Tinubu over the economic hardship across the country.
He said the South East has always suffered government neglect since the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He urged Tinubu to implement the recommendations of the 2014 Constitutional Conference amid the hardship confronting Nigeria.
These were contained in a statement made available to journalists by Isiguzoro.
He said, “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 South-East and South-South region.
“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.
“The preeminent Igbo socio-cultural organisation and unwavering advocate for the Igbo people commend the citizens of the Old Eastern region, particularly the South-East, 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 South-East has borne the brunt of governmental neglect and discrimination.
“Whether it be the centre’s exclusions, the wanton demolition of Igbo properties in Lagos without federal intervention, the systematic burning of Igbo markets in the South-West, 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 Sout-East 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 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 Igbo 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 PUNCH earlier reported that youths and women took to the streets in Niger State to protest what they described as the biting hardship and the rising cost of living in the country.
The protest started when a group of women blocked the Minna-Bida Road at the popular Kpakungu Roundabout to lament what they termed the sufferings under the Bola Tinubu government.
They were later joined by men and youths who barricaded the road and halted vehicular traffic.
The economic situation in the country had become unbearable following the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Tinubu on May 29, 2023. (Punch)
