The South East leaders and stake-holders have agreed on steps to take to tackle some of the challenges affecting the region.
A communique issued at the end of an emergency meeting held in the Old Government Lodge, Enugu on Thursday and chaired by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, which also had in attendance, current and former members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, current and previous leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, captains of Industry, the clergy, and academics, among others, outlined its decisions.
After an exhaustive deliberation, the following resolutions were arrived at:
- The Members commended the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu for his recent message to Ndigbo “that no Igbo group or community in Nigeria or in the Diaspora should join in a planned protest against the government of Nigeria”.
- They appreciated the reasons adduced by the Igbo Leader; that Ndigbo have been at the receiving end in the affairs of the country and that all the entreaties to the various authorities for equity and justice towards the Igbo have fallen on deaf ears.
The communique read, “For instance, the South-East is the only geopolitical zone that has only five (5) states; and 95 local government areas while one other geopolitical zone has 188 local government areas. The above lingering injustice has cost the Igbo billions of financial losses. It has also cost us losses in both political patronages and legislative representations. This anomaly attracted the concerns of the members of the 2005 and 2014 political conferences but up till today, nothing has been done; among others.
According to the communique, “It’s a common knowledge that the Sit at Home in the South-East is because of the incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The Sit at Home has caused the Igbo and indeed most Nigerians unquantifiable losses in lives and properties. All the appeals to the federal government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu have been rebuffed as an Igbo problem.
It was noted that since there has remained an orchestrated conspiracy to alienate the Igbo from the affairs of the country, it will be foolhardy for the Igbo youths to present themselves as cannon fodders at this critical juncture in our political history
The members reviewed the level of unemployment, poverty, hardships, especially the rising cost of goods and services in Nigeria, the rate of depreciation of Nigerian currency and the excruciating effect on the masses; and reminded Ndigbo that they should quickly readjust themselves to the reality of the times and that the Igbo have passed through the worst of conditions in the past.
The communique noted that there is no better time than now to invoke the indomitable Igbo spirit of brotherliness, hard work, ingenuity, wisdom, resilience, inventiveness, perseverance and capacity to turn adversities into diverse opportunities.
They urged the Igbo governors, council chairmen, traditional rulers and town union presidents in Igbo land to take advantage of the upcoming farming season to catalyze massive agricultural production for sustainable food security in our region. Similarly, the above leaders are reminded to step up the security networks in their various jurisdictions.
It was reiterated that since the 2023 presidential electoral matter has reached the Nigerian Supreme Court and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been declared the winner; and as law abiding citizens, they have decided to support the Tinubu administration.
They also stated that an expanded meeting of Igbo leaders comprising all the South East Governors will soon be convened to develop options and proffer solutions and guidance to all the sons and daughters of Igbo land on the way forward.
