Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has told the Federal Government to pursue a political solution to the ongoing secessionist agitations by initiating a process for regional autonomy.
The advice was contained in a statement by the Secretary-General of the Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro.
He said an additional State for the South-East was also necessary to give the zone a sense of belonging.
Isiguzoro said “the best political solutions for the Biafra agitation in the South-East are to provide platforms for genuine dialogue, and initiate the process to interface with neutral Igbo leaders, by strictly prohibiting Igbo politicians from the dialogue because they are part of the problems in the South-East.
“We are aware of the International pressures on the Federal Government presently. The FG should not miss the opportunity to seek for genuine dialogue with neutral Igbo patriots and elder statesmen, who will genuinely communicate the plights of Ndigbo without the usual manipulative infusions of South-East politicians”.
He noted that “the International pressures on the Federal Government in respect to the extraordinary rendition of Nnamdi Kanu after the Kenyan Government confirmed that there were no official extradition proceedings on Kanu before he was sent to Nigeria, have opened up extraordinary circumstances that must be explored by both the Federal Government and non-political Igbo leaders.
“The first step expected from the Federal Government is to set in motion mechanism for peaceful dialogue with Igbo religious leaders, Igbo traditional rulers and selected few elder statesmen like Pa Mbazulike Amaechi, Elder KUK Kalu and others.
“It’s obvious that the FG can’t shy away from peace talks with the Igbo before the next court appearance of Nnamdi Kanu on 19th January, 2022 with the exclusion of Igbo Governors, Igbo National Assembly members, Igbo Federal Executive Council members, Igbo APC and PDP members in attendance.”
He added that, “the federal government should expedite action that will lead to additional State creation for the South-East and grant full autonomy to all Federating units of all the regions in the country.
“These are the two best options as political solutions for addressing the activities of Biafra groups and their arrowheads.”
