Why Igbos will not join planned protest, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reveals

• The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has announced their decision to abstain from the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1 to 10, 2024
• Acting National President Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu stated that the decision aligns with the elders' advice and aims to address regional challenges through constructive dialogue
• The group expressed concerns that the protests could lead to violence and damage to Igbo businesses

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing has outlined their reasons for abstaining from the nationwide protests planned for August 1 to 10, 2024.

This was reiterated at a press conference in Enugu following an Emergency Convention of Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders 2024, titled “State of the Nation."

Ohanaeze Ndigbo speaks on planned protest Photo credit: @eastboie/@NigerianStories
Source: Twitter

The organization acknowledged the significant issues facing the South East, including economic hardship, high youth unemployment, and inadequate representation in governance.

Our decision aligns with our fathers, says Ohanaeze Ndigbo youths

Acting National President Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu stated that, in alignment with the decision of their elders, the Igbo youths have decided against participating in the protests, The Punch reported.

Instead, they will seek to address their challenges through constructive dialogue with the Federal Government and South East governors to find effective solutions.

Furthermore, Okpalaezeukwu said this strategy is designed to encourage productive collaboration rather than conflict, to achieve more meaningful and lasting outcomes for the region's youth.

Okpalaezeukwu emphasized that while the hunger protest is a legitimate and understandable response to the nation's current challenges, there is concern that it could lead to the loss of lives and property among Igbo citizens, similar to the violence experienced during the EndSARS protest in 2020, The Guardian reported.

He stated:

“We wish to avoid a repeat of the destruction of our investments and the potential for our people to become targets in protest zones.“We are committed to engaging in constructive dialogue to ensure our concerns are addressed and to secure fairness, equity, and a sense of inclusion.”

Okpalaezeukwu: Igbo businesses are always threatened

He expressed concern that even before the protest has begun, Igbo businesses in cities like Abuja and Lagos are facing threats.

“We want to prevent further violence and property damage affecting our people.”

Tinubu's govt urged to appoint Igbo youths

Speaking further, the group called on the Tinubu-led administration to appoint Igbo youths to relevant positions.

Okpalaezeukwu said:

“We call for the appointment of Igbo youths to political positions to be integrated into the government. "We hope that, with continued dialogue, the government will address the issues affecting the South East now that the civil war is a thing of the past.”

Presidency accused of plotting Obi's arrest over planned protest

In a related development, Legit.ng reported that Peter Obi, the flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, has berated one of the presidential spokespersons, Bayo Onanuga, of accusing him of being the mastermind of a planned protest against economic hardship in the country.

Obi’s spokesman, Yunusa Tanko, said in a statement on Sunday, July 21, that these unsubstantiated allegations are being orchestrated to arrest Obi, limit his freedom and association, and stop his propagation for good governance, which they find injurious to their lavish lifestyle.

Source: Legit.ng