We Want Unity But Not At All Costs, Southeast Youth Leaders Charge

South East Igbo Youth Leaders during a South East Igbo Youths Stakeholder Convention in Enugu has charged the Federal Government, South East governments, Ndigbo, and the general public to be aware that the unity of Nigeria while paramount is not at all costs.

The group met yesterday, 8th June 2021, in  Enugu, where they deliberated on the happenings in the South East and came out with five points cutting across the security and wellbeing of Ndigbo and Ndigbo relationship in the larger Nigeria circle, summing that (emphasis theirs) it is either RESTRUCTURING OR REFERENDUM.

Here is the press release in full:

Statement of South East Igbo Youths Leaders

1. We commend the South East Governors and Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide for the declaration and support, respectively, of 30th May as a public holiday. Surely, this shall go a long way in consoling and healing the pains of many Biafrans and shall serve as a day for reflection and meditation of the effects and impacts of War.

We, therefore, urge the Federal Government to embrace this initiative as a National day of healing.

2. We align, utterly, with the Positions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, ably led by the Amb. Prof. George Obiozor, that Ndigbo will not the break up of Nigeria, but will not be victims of Nigeria Unity.

indeed, the unity of Nigeria is Paramount but not at all costs. We are committed to Peace, Justice, Equity and Fairness.

Throughout history, people denied justice have no interest in peace. it is either RESTRUCTURING OR REFERENDUM.

On this note, we hereby pass a vote of confidence and reaffirm our Solidarity and Support to the Leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, and therefore urge the Federal Government to consider the use of force/military action, as presently applied in South East, which can inevitably lead to more provocation, anarchy and disintegration.

We admonish that psychological operation (PSYOPS) would be more efficient as a sure alternative, considering the reality of Nigerian irresistible pluralism.

3. Our attention has been drawn to the statements of the Coalition of Northern Group, CNG in a letter addressed to the Emir of Kano, which clearly played an unfounded blame game of hatred without addressing the issues.

For the Records, most of the security officers affected by the crisis in South East are Igbos: A notable example is Late Ifeanyi Amah is from Ebonyi State. He got enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in 2018. He was shot and killed alongside 7 other police officers, mostly Christians, at Abriba Abia State.

Why Gunmen are killing security operatives in the Southeast

There was Carnage and mass killings, Kidnapping and Raping of Innocent people in Southern Nigeria, especially in South East, by killer Herdsmen who are from Northern Nigeria.

But because Ndigbo are committed to Peace and Justice, we do not rush into conclusion or inciting statements like the so-called Coalition of Northern Groups; neither are we cowards.

Prof. Obioma, former NECO Registrar was murdered in Niger State of Northern Nigeria.
This is indeed an unfortunate National Security impasse that can only be resolved by consciously and sincerely addressing the issues without bias or hatred.

On this note, we urge Ndi Igbo in Northern Nigeria to remain Resilient, Law-abiding and Vigilant, Promoting peaceful coexistence as we go about our various business activities.

4. We call on the Federal Government to expeditiously withdraw the Militarization in South East.
Most Worrisome is the alleged secret arresting and killing of Igbo Youths by the Military.
We are calling on the Federal Government to immediately stop the random arrest and unjust killing of Igbo Youths under the guise of IPOB and/or ESN members.

It is unfortunate that a revered organisation like the Nigerian Army, no longer apply the tenets professionalism and respect for Human Right while discharging their duties.

This is one of the obvious reasons why the Security Agencies have lost the confidence and support of the masses.

The viral #EndSars Saga is a typical demonstration of this fact.

We, therefore, call on Police and the sister Agencies to discharge their duties professionally and with dignity in order to restore the Support and confidence of the taxpayers.

5. This is a challenging moment for Ndigbo; a time that we need unseen strength and Leadership to overcome and prevail.

This Strength and Leadership are found only in Unity and Sacrifice.

We, therefore, call on the South East Governors, the Traditional Rulers and Political Stakeholders to rise up to the occasion, foster Unity, and engage the Youths in order to maximize impact and restore Stability in South East.

Security is everyone’s business; a stitch in time saves nine.

Thank You.

Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu,

Spokesman, South East Igbo Youths Stakeholder Convention

Connect with us on Twitter