Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the prominent Igbo socio-cultural organization, announced that residents of South-East states, primarily Igbo, will abstain from the nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024.
The protests, organized by various groups and concerned Nigerians, aim to demand an end to the worsening hardships in the country.
In a statement issued Tuesday, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, explained the decision, citing past incidents where Igbo people suffered disproportionately during major protests and riots.
Reflecting on historical events such as the 1978 “ALI MUST GO” protests, the 1989 anti-SAP riots, the 1993 June 12 protests, the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, and the 2020 END SARS protests, Isiguzoro emphasized that Igbos have often been unfairly targeted and incurred significant losses.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo highlighted several reasons for advising against participation, including the prevailing security challenges in the Southeast that make safe protest conduct impossible. The organization warned that protests could worsen these security issues and create opportunities for criminal elements to exploit the situation.
The statement also urged Igbo residents in northern states and the Southwest to avoid the protests for their safety, stressing the importance of restraint and prudence during this period.
Additionally, Ohanaeze Ndigbo emphasized that the primary focus for the Southeast should be the release of Nnamdi Kanu, rather than participating in nationwide protests.
