Igbo groups in Lagos disavow planned nationwide protest
The Coalition of Igbo Political and Socio-Cultural Groups in Lagos State has distanced itself from the nationwide protest planned to commence on Thursday, August 1, asserting that “Ndigbo are not part of the protest in Lagos.”
At a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, the coalition’s Anatuanatu Coordinator, High Chief Anselm Njoku, emphasized that the Igbos in Lagos have dissociated themselves from the protest, which he described as being organized by “unscrupulous faceless elements using Igbo nomenclature to incite unsound agitation.”
Njoku called on Nigerians to embrace dialogue with the government and adopt constructive criticism instead of resorting to unnecessary and provocative protests and violence. He urged all Igbos in Lagos, including stakeholders, residents, traders, and industry leaders, to refrain from participating in the protest.
“Lagos State is a Yoruba land, and Ndigbo residing here have significantly contributed to its development. We cannot be coerced into destroying assets,” Njoku stated.
He acknowledged the economic hardships facing Nigeria but noted that the economic downturn is not unique to Nigeria and is also affecting other developed and developing nations. Njoku argued that the current economic challenges are not the fault of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which has been in power for less than a year, but are the result of cumulative past governance failures.
The Igbo coalition maintained that a national protest at this time would be counterproductive as the Federal Government is working to revitalize the economy. They stressed that Igbos are not prone to destruction but are instead committed to development wherever they reside.
The coalition also appealed to President Tinubu to expedite the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu through political means rather than judicial processes, echoing recent appeals by prominent Igbo leaders.
The statement was signed by several leaders of the coalition, including High Chief Anselm Njoku, Eze Dr. Uche Dimgba, Eze Chris Offia, Chief Chris Ekeocha, Nelly Okafor, Chief Sunday Eze, and Chief Sunday Ossia. The coalition comprises 16 large groups, such as The Council of Ndieze in Lagos State, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, South-East Forum Lagos, Igbo Mandate, Seven Igbo Town Unions, Igbo-Speaking Community, Igbo Vision APC Lagos, and Igbo Market Men and Women Associations and Leaders, in collaboration with Ndigbo in APC.
