Apex lgbo socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to use the historic moment of June 12 as Democracy Day to grant amnesty to 1,335 repented non-violent pro-Biafra agitators.
Ohanaeze said the agitators are prepared to surrender publicly and pledge their allegiance to the federal government, while also expressing unwavering support for President Tinubu’s administration.
The pan-Igbo group stated that it is vital intimate President Tinubu that the moment represents not only a new dawn for Nigeria but also a significant victory for democracy.
In a joint statement issued on Wednesday by the factional Deputy President-General, Okechukwu lsiguzoro and Thompson Ohia, Ohanaeze noted that for the first time in 55 years since the end of the Biafra war, repented and non-violent pro-Biafra activists are willing to engage in dialogue with the federal government.
Ohanaeze disclosed that it had spent 16 months in concert with other stakeholders to persuade the repentant agitators to dialogue with the federal government.
“They have resolved to voluntarily pledge their allegiance in exchange for presidential amnesty, a peaceful resolution to the ongoing insecurity in the South East, the dropping of all charges against them, and the application of political solutions to facilitate the release of detained Igbo prisoners of conscience.
“The 2025 June 12 Democracy Day presents a rare opportunity for President Tinubu to decisively address long-standing grievances and injustices that have historically plagued the old Eastern Region and the Igbo people.
“This occasion provides an exceptional opening for the federal government to engage with and resolve the deep-rooted issues surrounding Biafra agitation that have lingered since the end of the Biafra conflict in 1970.
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“By accepting their allegiance after a closed-door discussion and granting them the presidential pardon and amnesty they seek, President Tinubu will not only earn the esteem of the nation as a champion of democracy but also solidify his legacy as the president who successfully addressed the Biafra agitation.
“The federal government’s granting of presidential amnesty to this initial group of 1,335 non-violent pro-Biafra agitators will send a powerful and unequivocal message to others contemplating similar paths.
“It will affirm the government’s commitment to eradicating radicalism, criminality, and extreme violence associated with Biafra agitation, demonstrating a sincere intention to employ balanced, non-kinetic methods alongside incentives for peaceful resolution.
“Those who have been misled into crime and armed struggle, erroneously believing that Biafra agitation justifies such acts, will find themselves compelled to lay down their arms.
“The sincere efforts of the federal government can inspire a new commitment to peaceful dialogue and reconciliation, fostering a climate in which all Nigerians can coexist harmoniously,” the organisation said.
