Abia Renewed Hope for Tinubu, a group in Abia State, has endorsed Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s call for South-East states to avoid participating in the planned nationwide protests scheduled from August 1st to 10th, 2024. The protests are organized to address the rising living costs and hardships in Nigeria.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s Secretary-General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, previously highlighted the potential risks for the Igbo people based on past experiences with major protests and riots. The Abia group, in a press release signed by its state coordinator, Lady Queen Linda Ogbuehi, Secretary Chetachi Nwoke, Hon. Dr. Uzuegbu Uchechi Paul, Hon. Onyeije Onuoha Kalu, and other stakeholders, reiterated this caution. They pointed out that historically, the Igbo community has suffered disproportionately during nationwide protests.
Reflecting on past events such as the 1978 ‘Ali Must Go Protest,’ the 1989 Anti-SAP riots, the 1993 June 12 protest, the 2012 Occupy Nigeria movement, and the 2020 #EndSARS protests, the group noted that the Igbo people often face severe repercussions, including loss of life and property damage. They argued that such protests typically result in unfair treatment of the Igbo.
The group supports Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s decision, along with South East leaders, Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma, and other key stakeholders, to abstain from the protests. They expressed concern that participation could lead to exploitation by criminal elements and exacerbate chaos.
Instead, the group urges the Igbo nation to focus on efforts to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained for several years, and to support President Tinubu’s administration. They commended the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on local government autonomy, which they believe will strengthen the third tier of government and encourage compliance from state governors.
Abia Renewed Hope for Tinubu calls on Ndigbo, both within Nigeria and abroad, to support President Tinubu’s administration and work towards a better Nigeria.
0 Comments