Eze Chukwu, who serves as the Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria, has made a call to President Bola Tinubu urging him to address the growing restiveness in the South-East region of Nigeria. Chukwu suggested that the government should adopt strategies similar to those employed in resolving the Niger Delta militancy crisis to address the issues in the region effectively.
In an interview on Friday in Abuja, Chukwu recommended the introduction of an amnesty program or other similar reconciliatory initiatives that could be offered to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which he believes would significantly reduce the violence that has plagued the region in recent years. He also traced the origins of the Biafra agitation to the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), an organization that, according to him, eventually led to the formation of IPOB.
Chukwu emphasized that both MASSOB and IPOB were created to draw attention to what they perceive as deep-rooted injustices against the Igbo people. He pointed out that the rise of these movements was due to a sense of marginalization and neglect experienced by the people of the South-East. He stated that if the Igbo people had been given their rightful place in the political and social landscape of the country, the Biafra agitation would never have taken root in the first place.
“I am convinced that if the Igbo are given their due place in the scheme of things, the idea of Biafra agitation wouldn’t have arisen in the first place and if the needful is done before now, the agitation would have been put to rest,” said Chukwu.
He continued, stating that with the recent arrests of the so-called leaders of IPOB, it would be wise for the federal government to ensure that no new leader rises to take their place by taking swift action to resolve the longstanding issue. He further urged the government to act decisively in addressing the root causes of the agitation and bring an end to the violence and unrest in the region.
“My dear President, let the federal government step up action to extradite Mazi Simon Ekpa as well as issue a statement on plans to solve this problem in the South-East once and for all,” Chukwu urged.
He also suggested that an amnesty program similar to the one implemented in the Niger Delta could be an effective way to calm tensions in the South-East. He explained that offering amnesty to members of IPOB could help to deter the emergence of new leaders within the group and create a more peaceful atmosphere in the region.
“I suggest amnesty for IPOB as it was with the former militants in the Niger Delta. This will calm nerves and deter further problems as well as the emergence of another IPOB leader,” Chukwu added.
Chukwu went on to assert that if President Tinubu could restore normalcy and bring peace to the South-East, his legacy would be forever etched in the history of the nation. He emphasized that such a move would not only benefit the South-East but would also positively impact Nigeria as a whole. “You will be recognised alive, and you will be remembered in death,” Chukwu said.
He also expressed his satisfaction with the recent arrest of Mazi Simon Ekpa, noting that it would likely lead to the end of the disruptive sit-at-home orders and the associated violent crimes that have plagued the region. According to Chukwu, the arrest of Ekpa signals a potential turning point in the fight against Biafra-related violence.
Furthermore, Chukwu suggested that the establishment of the South-East Development Commission could play a crucial role in rehabilitating former IPOB members if they agreed to surrender their weapons as part of the amnesty program. He stated that with such a commission in place, it would be easier to reintegrate and rehabilitate former members of IPOB, ensuring that they could contribute positively to the development of the South-East.
