Treat IPOB same way you treated Miyetti Allah, Ohanaeze youths tell Nigerian govt

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has urged the Federal Government to consider a dialogue with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) leaders over their longtime agitations.

The group, in a statement by its President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Wednesday, said the federal government having negotiated with leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) to end kidnapping and killings in the country should also do the same to the IPOB and MASSOB who were not violent like the herdsmen.

It also added that 30th of this month when the Biafra agitators will be celebrating Biafra day was an opportunity for the federal government to dialogue with the agitators.

“We are surprised on the meeting between Federal Government represented by Minister of Interior Abdul-Rahman Dambazau and the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) where a huge carrot is thrown to the herdsmen group to help stop kidnapping and tackle insecurity and clashes between Herdsmen and farmers. The Federal Government should also extend the same gesture of N100bn to the leadership of MASSOB and IPOB. What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

“As Biafrans are celebrating the May 30th Remembrance day, the Federal Government has the opportunity and visible channel to negotiate with the leadership of MASSOB and other Biafra agitators.

“Reaching out to Biafra agitators are imminent to scuttle the mayhem likely to occur over the killings of Igbo’s in the North by Armed herdsmen and bandits.

“It’s on record that about 167 Igbo have fell victims of Armed herdsmen and bandits in North West and East in the last few weeks, tension is building up in the South East ahead of May 30th Biafra remembrance day, Presidency should give Biafrans N100bn to avoid reprisal attacks”.

Read also: Buhari, security chiefs in emergency talks over worsening killings, banditry

Meanwhile, the Igbo youths have also called on the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu to make peace with a notable Niger Delta militant leader, Mujaheed Asari-Dokubo.

The group said: “IPOB should make peace with Asari Dokubo urgently as the rift is threatening the bond and partnership existing between the South East and South/South.

“Since after the war, the two regions had been enjoying harmonious relationship between them, so we advocate that IPOB should extend hands of friendship to Asari Dokubo, as we will not allow any misunderstanding between Nnamdi Kanu and Asari Dokubo escalate, and IPOB should use the May 30th to mend the fence with ex Niger Delta Agitators rather than Sit at home”.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now