*Urges SE Govs to roll out Ebubeagu
*Recommends dialogue as solution to national crises
By Emma Ogbuehi
In line with the prevailing mood among most Igbo, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation has thrown its support to the South East Governors for declaration of public holiday on May 30th as a Biafran day. Ohanaeze President, Prof George Obiozor, who made the disclosure in a press conference stressed that for Ndigbo and most Africans, a time to mourn or remembrance of the dead is traditionally a solemn occasion.
The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) and other organisations seeking self-determination for the Igbo, have been keeping aside the day, annually in honour of the Igbo that lost their lives in the 1967 – 1970 civil war and other disturbances in the country. The 2012 edition recorded total compliance in all the five south east states. Apparently, due to success of the event, chairman south east governors forum and Ebonyi state governor, Dave Umahi, hinted on the readiness of the governors in the zone to make the day a public holiday, if the demand comes from the people.
According to Obiozor, “It is imperative and proper for Ndigbo to remember Ndigbo and others who died across the country either in the genocide or civil war in Nigeria from 1967 to 1970”.
Ohanaeze also called on the Governors of South East to roll out the Ebubeagu Security outfit to check the incidences of insecurity in the area. The group emphasised that Ndigbo will not support break-up of Nigeria but will not be victims of Nigerian unity. It however frowned at the statement attributed to the President, Muhammadu Buhari in which he had issued veil threats to agitators of self-determination from the zone.
“The last time I checked or heard a President speak of (shock and awe), it was reserved for the enemy, not to citizens. I also want to appeal to all Igbo youths involved in violence and strongly advise them that there is nothing to celebrate in violence. We cannot change our lots and situations by steering and provoking hatred amongst ourselves, raining insults and abuses on ourselves and declaring war against those who disagree with your own ideas and approach to resolving our common problems”, Obiozor observed.
Ohanaeze further urged the Federal Government to reconsider the use of force in resolving the current crises in the country, stressing that it is imperative on the part of the Government to conduct urgent in-depth investigations on the destruction of lives and property in the South East.
It called for a dialogue to resolve the present national crises, adding that the Federal Government should acknowledge that because of the reality of Nigerian irresistible pluralism it is always preferable to go for dialogue instead of force.
According to Ohanaeze President, “to secure Nigeria, to develop Nigeria and to have peace, the Federal Government should immediately engage all Nigerian groups through their various Leaders in an urgent dialogue. Dialogue is what patriotic Nigerians, Nigerian well-wishers/admirers and the international community is now expecting of Nigerian leadership to resolve the present national crises, and not military action. It is time for peaceful action and dialogue not war and destruction”.
Ohanaeze also called on the Federal Government to take note of the ongoing human rights violations in the South East zone, adding, “We must beware of its international consequences and domestic implications in our ability to heal the Nigerian nation. Nigeria is at crossroads of its history and destiny. Let wisdom prevail”.