LAGOS — The former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, has called on the Federal Government to dialogue with secessionists. He believed that addressing the root causes of their agitations will help in dousing the tension in some parts of the country.
The former Presidential Candidate made the call on Wednesday while appearing on Channels Television’s morning programme, ‘Sunrise Daily’, he believes that the agitators felt marginalized and are demanding justice.
“I think that the government should be able to invite, whether it is IPOB or Sunday Igboho, all the secessionists; invite them to the table,” Moghalu said.
In 2017, the Nigerian government proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which was the group that spearheaded the agitations for the creation of an independent Biafra nation but Moghalu faulted the FG decision, insisting instead, that the reasons for their actions should be looked into.
The former Presidential aspirant admitted that IPOB and other agitators may be addressing their challenges in a wrong way, but argued that tagging them as terrorists was not the way forward on the issue.
“They are essentially political agitators. You can call them terrorists. That is your own prerogative but we know what terrorism means in reality. Boko Haram are terrorists. We know that,” the economist and lawyer added.
“When people begin political agitations and we very easily throw terrorism at them just because they are mouthing off and speaking in a language that nobody likes or insulting their fellow citizens. That is their way of handling this type of thing.
“Can we address the agitations? Don’t be afraid to address the core reasons behind the agitation because they are crying out for justice. They feel marginalised. What is wrong with addressing those issues?”
