The apex Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has declared that the potential of reconciliation between the Northern area and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reached a degree of no return.
Regardless of a collection of presidential appointments and infrastructure guarantees, Ohanaeze acknowledged that the once-promising partnership between Tinubu and the North has now deteriorated right into a mere shadow of its former self.
In a press release issued on Monday, the factional Deputy President-Basic of Ohanaeze, Mazi Okechukwu Isigozoro, claimed that the North has firmly deserted Tinubu, and that the north is now actively forming alliances with leaders from the Southeast and Niger Delta with the only real goal of difficult his re-election bid in 2027.
The assertion emphasised that it was essential for President Tinubu to grasp the cruel actuality: with out a direct reversal of key federal authorities insurance policies and the swift implementation of considerable corrective measures, Nigeria’s struggling plenty will inevitably be drawn to opposition coalitions, notably these led by Northern leaders, advocating for a transformative management change.
Ohanaeze urged the federal authorities to implement a big shift in its method, particularly calling for a reputable Nationwide Census in 2025. The census, they proposed, ought to embody obligatory identification of ethnicity and faith to supply an correct illustration of Nigeria’s demographics.
The group famous that present information reveals that 39% of the Northern inhabitants consists of Igbo communities, whereas 31% are Center Belt Christians, and the Hausa and Fulani folks characterize solely 30%.
Ohanaeze instructed that the constant resistance of Northern leaders to incorporate such demographic identifiers in earlier censuses mirrored their consciousness of this actuality.
The group additionally pressured the necessity for the federal authorities to prioritize the wants of the Igbo nation in its insurance policies, which, in response to them, would foster solidarity throughout all Nigerian Native Authorities Areas and type the idea for a extra inclusive nationwide dialogue.
“President Tinubu ought to act decisively directly,” the assertion urged, calling for the institution of a sixth state for the Southeast, the revitalization of the Jap Financial Hall, and the reopening and dredging of the Calabar Seaport, which has been inactive for 57 years.
Moreover, Ohanaeze known as for the complete utilization of the Port Harcourt Seaport, the development of a deep seaport in Azumiri (Abia State), and the upgrading of the Port Harcourt-Aba-Enugu-Maiduguri railway to straightforward gauge.
The political launch of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was additionally emphasised as a vital step in rebuilding belief and fostering engagement.
“By doing so, President Tinubu can dismantle the perceived Northern numerical superiority that has lengthy perpetuated outdated political dominance,” Ohanaeze mentioned, emphasizing {that a} clear and inclusive 2025 Census is significant for establishing a brand new political stability in Nigeria.
The assertion additionally known as on the federal authorities to increase an olive department to non-violent Biafra agitators, urging dialogue to deal with the rising insecurity and violence within the Southeast.
Rising indicators, in response to Ohanaeze, recommend that proponents of non-violent self-determination are prepared for reconciliation.
“The federal authorities should act now to grab this vital alternative for peace and stability within the Southeast,” the assertion concluded. “For the well-being of Nigeria, we should select dialogue over division and cooperation over confrontation.”
