Sundiata Post – Igbo youths have said they would not be part of the proposed nationwide protest over the growing hardship in the country.
They argued that it was better for the people of the region to continue to engage with the government to address their grievances than participating in a protest they did not know the organisers.
They made their position known at an emergency convention by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, comprising various youth groups from the five South East states and Igbo speaking parts of Delta and Rivers states.
National Leader of Ohanaeze Youth Wing, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, said the Igbo had every cause to protest the long years of marginalisation and neglect they had suffered in Nigeria.
“There are so many reasons the Igbo youths should protest, including the unwarranted detention of so many Igbo youths, especially Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, in facilities across the country; the destruction of Igbo property in towns and cities like Lagos and Abuja. In addition, Igbo youths are not included in governance; the South East has the least number of states, only five, where others have six and more, there’s a dearth of national infrastructure in our zone. Since I was born, I have not seen critical national infrastructure in the South East,” he stated.
However, the Ohanaeze youth leader added: “But we are aware that once protest begins, the Igbo will suffer most. They will target the property of our people to loot and destroy. So, what benefit will our people get if our properties are destroyed?
“That’s why we decided to come and deliberate. We want our voice to be heard on what is happening in Nigeria. Two, we want to make demands from the Federal Government.”
He explained that their utmost aim was to ensure that no Igbo youth is cut in the crossfire of Igbophobia and the proposed protest.
“Our demand is that all Igbo youths held in various detention facilities in Nigeria are immediately released, including Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“We also demand that Igbo youths be appointed into the government; this will be from the youths gathered here. Igbo youths demand appointment and accommodation in the government.
“We are also demanding the creation of one more state in the South East for the sake of justice, equity and fairness.
“We also demand that the South East Governors convene a meeting with the Igbo youths,” he stated.
Okpalaezeukwu passionately appealed to President Tinubu to grant the Igbo youths audience to present their case.
Notwithstanding, the Igbo youths applauded President Tinubu over the recent signing into law of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) Bill.
The youths declare that with the SEDC, the 30-month civil war which ended in 1970, with their people still suffering its effects, has actually ended.
“For us, this commission has actually ended the civil war. We are demanding that the commission should be run in a way that the Igbo youths are part of it. In fact, the youth should chair the commission,” they stated.
It is noteworthy that the resolutions were taken after putting the item to voice vote. Having got the overwhelming approval of the teeming participants, the national youth leader of Ohanaeze declared: “What we are saying is that we, the Igbo youths in the South East, after consultation with the Igbo youths across Nigeria, have resolved not to participate in the proposed protest.”
