By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has said that the people of the South-East will not participate in the nationwide Democracy Day protest scheduled for Thursday, June 12.
Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Deputy President General of the apex Igbo socio-political organization in a statement on Monday distanced itself from the planned demonstrations.
He stressed that its decision stems not from apathy, but from a deliberate and strategic resolve to protect the lives and property of Ndigbo across Nigeria.
The organization added that no protests will be permitted within the South-East region until the Nigerian government meaningfully addresses the long-standing and legitimate concerns of the Igbo people.
The statement reads in part: “We wish to convey a crucial, and perhaps uncomfortable, truth to the organizers of these national protests.There exists a broad consensus among Ndigbo rejecting participation in any form of protest—whether within the South-East or in other parts of Nigeria where our people reside.
“It is also important to bring to public attention credible reports of a covert plot reportedly brewing in Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Lagos. This plot, allegedly orchestrated by unpatriotic politicians and anti-democratic elements, seeks to hijack the protests as a means to destabilize President Bola Tinubu’s administration, while falsely projecting the Igbo as instigators or enemies of the state.
“This narrative must be firmly rejected and resisted. History has taught us painful lessons: during moments of national crisis, Igbos have too often been scapegoated, unjustly targeted, and sacrificed at the altar of political expediency.
“For over six decades since independence, our people have borne a disproportionate share of the violence and fallout associated with anti-government unrest. In addition to these historical injustices, the current climate of insecurity ravaging the South-East makes the staging of any mass protest not only ill-advised but dangerous.
“Finally, we wish to state unequivocally: Ndigbo will not take part in any national protest until our critical demands are met—chief among them, the immediate release of all Igbo prisoners of conscience unlawfully detained across the country.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful dialogue and constructive engagement with the Nigerian state but warned against any attempt to exploit national protests to further marginalize or endanger the South-East.
