A leader within the Ohanaeze Ndigbo sociocultural organization, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has called upon Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally bring an end to hostilities against the Igbo people in anticipation of the 54th Biafra war anniversary.
Isiguzoro urged Tinubu to initiate measures such as reconstruction, reconciliation, and rehabilitation, as well as the opening up of the Eastern Corridor, to foster economic development and liberate the old Eastern region.
In a signed statement, Isiguzoro highlighted the enduring persecution and economic constraints faced by the Ndigbo community, attributing these challenges to the historical neglect of the old Eastern region by previous federal administrations.
He emphasized that, unlike other regions that have benefited from central support, the Southeast has consistently been sidelined and denied its rightful share of resources.
According to Isiguzoro, “major infrastructure destroyed during the 3 and 6 months of the Biafra war has not been adequately reconstructed by previous military and civilian governments over the past 54 years.
“Genuine reconciliation from the Federal government towards Ndigbo has been lacking, replaced by the deliberate exclusion of the Southeast from certain privileges and the denial of access to viable seaports in the old Eastern region, such as the permanent closure of the Calabar seaport.”
He also reminded Tinubu that the Federal Government has failed to pay the reparation fees demanded by Igbo leaders during the administrations of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Musa Yar’Adua.
“Additionally, the reparation fees demanded by Igbo leaders during the Obasanjo and Yar’adua regimes have not been paid, and the implementation of the 2014 Constitutional conference and the restructuring proposals put forth by the APC committee led by former Governor El-Rufai have been disregarded,” he said.
Isiguzoro additionally conveyed to Tinubu that he had not yet extended clemency to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and other individuals involved in agitation.
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He added: “Furthermore, the granting of pardons to IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and Biafra agitators who are genuinely fighting against previous governments’ untold persecution is yet to be realized.
“Another aspect that demands urgent attention is the rehabilitation of the old Eastern region through increased federal presence. The lack of federal infrastructural development in the Southeast is deeply concerning.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores President Tinubu to utilize his esteemed office to initiate the end of the war by prioritizing reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the Southeast.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains hopeful that Tinubu, as a leader known for his commitment to justice and fairness, will champion the cause to end the war and bring about lasting peace, reconciliation, and development in the Southeast.”