Apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to promptly consider strategic overhauling his Economic team to address the escalating crisis witnessed in the North and South-west regions.
Ohanaeze stated that the prevailing economic adversities and the resolute decision of Ndigbo to refrain from participating in the hardship protests against President Bola Tinubu in the Southeast is underpinned by a poignant chronicle of past tribulations, endured by the people of the region since the inception of the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2015 up until 2023.
A statement on Thursday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-general, Mazi Okechukwu lsiguzoro, opined that the present distressing era was marked by the heartrending toll of 670 Igbo lives lost in protests under the iron grip of the Buhari regime, instilling a deep-seated fear of fatal reprisals by state security forces during demonstrations.
According to the statement, the imperative ongoing endeavours within Southeast infrastructure development, spearheaded by President Tinubu through the Southeast APC leader and Minister of Works, (Engr) David Umahi, stand as pivotal drivers for Ndigbo’s steadfast decision to refrain from engaging in disruptive protests.
The statement read in part: “It is paramount for President Tinubu to recognize the prevailing atmosphere of relative peace in the Southeast, underscored by the absence of rampant looting of essential resources that has plagued regions such as Abuja, parts of the North, and Southwest.
“Acknowledging the integral role played by Ndigbo as the economic backbone of Nigeria, President Tinubu is implored to draw inspiration from the sagacious leadership demonstrated by Former Obasanjo’s Economic team, which was steered by globally renowned Igbo economists.
“Central to this proposal is the establishment of a new economic consortium led by Igbo professionals and advocating for Nigeria’s integration into the BRICS economic bloc, fostering a robust Naira that can compete effectively with other currencies through the discontinuation of the Dollar in Nigeria.
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“President Tinubu is unequivocally urged to dismiss as unfounded the claims of individuals purporting to be the masterminds behind the Southeast’s decision not to engage in protests, particularly the Southeast political elite encompassing Governors, Ohanaeze leaders, Senators, and House of Representatives members, who are deemed opportunists.
“Contrary to popular misconceptions, these figures bear minimal responsibility for the Southeast’s deliberate stance to eschew protests against Tinubu.
“The primary rationale driving Ndigbo’s abstention was rooted in the discernible fear of potential loss of life and the judicious choice by the Igbo populace not to disrupt the essential road construction initiatives underway in the Southeast, orchestrated by President Tinubu in collaboration with the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
“Ndigbo express profound satisfaction with the commendable progress observed in the meticulous reconstruction of neglected Federal Expressways spanning the Southeast for decades.
“Upon the completion of these vital infrastructure projects, it is envisaged that they will serve as significant leverage to garner increased support for President Tinubu among the Igbo community in the future”, the statement concludes.
