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LAGOS NDIGBO DISTANCES SELF FROM NATIONAL PROTEST, URGES IGBO TRADERS TO STAY HOME
…Nigerians should be patient with Tinubu – Igbo Coalition
…Demands release of Nnamdi Kanu
The Coalition of Igbo Political and Social-Cultural Groups, as well as market leaders in Lagos State, has distanced themselves from the proposed 10-day national hunger protest, stating that Ndigbo will not participate in any demonstration.
The Coalition, made up of 16 large groups, which included the Council of Ndieze in Lagos, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, South-East Forum in Lagos, Igbo Mandate, seven Igbo Towns Unions, Igbo Speaking Community, Igbo Vision APC Lagos, Igbo Market Men and Women Associations, and Ndigbo in APC, advised Igbo traders to stay home and not open their businesses on days of the protest, fixed for August 1 to 10, to avoid being attacked.
The Igbo stakeholders in Lagos State noted that, while there is no dispute that there is hardship in the country, the current economic situation bedevilling the country is not limited to Nigeria and was not caused by the incumbent government led by President Bola Tinubu.
They said the present situation of things in the country is a cumulative effect and result of past bad governance, which logically and sensibly cannot be attributed to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which is barely one year in the saddle.
Speaking during a press conference held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, the Coordinator of the Coalition, High Chief Anselm Njoku, said a national protest at a time when the Federal Government is trying to revamp the economy is going to be counterproductive, hence ill advised.
He said, “We are distancing ourselves and the entire Ndigbo in Lagos from the planned protest by some unscrupulous faceless elements, who are partly using Igbo nomenclatures to fan the embers of unsounded agitation. Nigerians should develop a culture of dialogue with the government and deploy constructive criticism without resorting to unnecessary provocative protests and violence.
“It is in this regard that we enjoin all Igbo of all extraditions, stakeholders, residents, traders, and captains of industries not to join in the protest. Lagos is Yoruba land, and Ndigbo, who are residents here, have contributed immensely to its development, so they cannot be used, coerced in whatever form, to destroy assets.
“We are not destruction-prone and cannot be part of those seeking to destroy what we partly built. Ndigbo are not wired for destruction but develop wherever we are residing.
“Let it be known that from all intelligence gatherings, the faceless organisers of this planned protest are not known to us, not Igbos, and are merely hiding under Ndigbo names, dropping Igbo names to create confusion and gather credibility.”
Njoku, who noted that President Tinubu inherited a bad economy and should be given time to settle down, thanked the President for approving the South East Development Commission and appealed to him to expedite action on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu through a political process rather than judiciary means.
“We are also using this opportunity to thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the South-East Development Commission, for deeming it right, and due to appoint an Igbo illustrious son as the Chief of Naval Staff, therefore allowing the Igbo ethnic group a say in the National Security structure. We will greatly appreciate it if the President makes the Commission rewarding and beneficial to Ndigbo in general, touching the lives of people in that zone.
“In line with the robust relationship between our President and the South-East people, we appealed to the President, as a gentleman Democrat, to expedite action on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu through a political process rather than judicial means, just as many prominent Ndigbo leaders had recently appealed and advocated,” he advised.
Also speaking, the President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Sunday Ossai, said the Igbo in Lagos have always been wrongly accused of organising protests in the state, which has always put their lives in danger.
“Ndigbo have always been wrongly accused, so we have come out to deny accusations against us. We don’t know anything about organising the protest. Ndigbo are not part of it. We are innocent. I appeal to Ndigbo to be cautious of their movements and urge them to stay home and not go for their businesses on the day of the protest,” he said.
PHOTOS L-R: Chairman, Aregbe Igbo Mandate, Lagos, Prince Udoka Echekwu; Chairman, Council of Ndieze, Lagos state, Eze Offia; Eze Ndigbo (Ikeja) and BOT Chairman, Council of Ndieze, Lagos state, Dr. Uche Dimgba; Coordinator, Coalition of Igbo Political & Socio-Cultural Groups, High Chief Anselm Njoku; President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos state, Chief Sunday Ossia and President-General, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos state, Chief Sunday Eze, during the Press Conference on the “Proposed Agitation/Protest in Nigeria” held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Tuesday 30th July, 2024
The Eze Ndigbo Ikeja and Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Council of Ndieze, Lagos State, Eze Dr. Uche Dimgba, said Igbo will not participate in the national protest because they are not part of the planners, noting that all Ndigbo have been advised not to take part in the protest.
The President-General, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Sunday Eze, who noted that Igbo are legitimate businessmen and women, appealed to the Lagos State Government to protect their businesses, homes and their families during the protest as they are not part of it. “We cannot leave our hometown and come to Lagos to destroy property,” he said.
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Opposition leaders in Nigeria have issued a communique vowing to resist any attempts by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to make President Bola Tinubu the sole candidate for the 2027 general elections.
This statement followed a National Summit of opposition parties held in Ibadan, Oyo State, where several key political figures including Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso (NNPP) gathered to discuss a united front.
The opposition political figures made this declaration via a communique issued at the end of a meeting christened “National Summit of Opposition Political Party Leaders”.
The meeting was hosted by governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State in Ibadan on Saturday.
It was attended by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, David Mark, former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana, Aisha Yesufu, Professor Pat Utomi and a former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung.
Others are former governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwanso, former governor of Kwara State, Abdulfatai Ahmed, former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amechi, former governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu among others.
The leaders of the opposition political parties in the communique vowed to resist all machinations by the ruling All Progressives Congress to foist a one-party State on Nigeria.
They vowed to resist all attempts to make Tinubu the sole presidential candidate in the 2027 general elections.
The opposition political figures also disclosed that the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan should not be allowed to conduct the forthcoming general elections in 2027.
The communique partly read, “That we shall resist all machinations by the APC to foist a one-party State on Nigeria and fight for the survival of multi-party democracy in our country.
“That despite the onslaughts and maneuverings of the ruling party, the APC to impose President Bola Tinubu as the sole Presidential candidate in 2027; we shall field candidates and contest the 2027 Presidential and other elections.
“That we shall work towards fielding one Presidential Candidate for the 2027 elections, which shall be agreed and supported by all participating opposition parties to rescue our nation and her long suffering masses”.
The Nigerian Army said troops from the 82 Division has recovered the suspected remains of a soldier couple, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, who were murdered in May 2022.
In a statement shared on its official X handle, the Army said the troops acted on credible intelligence to carry out the operations on 24 April 2026 along the Ubaha Orsu axis of Orsu Local Government Area.
The operation was part of a strategic clearance and search mission aimed at dismantling the IPOB/ESN hideout in the region and locating the remains of two Nigerian Army personnel, Master Warrant Officer Linus Musa Audu and Private Gloria Mathew, who were brutally abducted and murdered by terrorists in May 2022 while on their way to their traditional wedding.
Upon receiving credible intelligence, the army reported that its troops advanced towards a suspected IPOB/ESN hideout, where they encountered heavy fire from armed criminals.
The statement said the troops engaged the terrorists decisively, successfully repelling multiple ambushes and forcing the criminals to retreat in chaos.
“The encounter further revealed the desperation and criminal nature of the group, which continues to target innocent citizens and security personnel alike,” the statement said.
After successfully clearing the camp, the Nigerian Army said the troops conducted a comprehensive search of the area, leading to the discovery of shallow graves believed to contain the remains of the slain personnel.
“The graves were carefully excavated, and the suspected remains were recovered,” the statement said.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that the recovered remains have been secured for detailed forensic analysis, including DNA testing, to definitively establish their identities.
“Efforts are also ongoing to liaise with the families of the fallen personnel to ensure proper identification and facilitate befitting burial arrangements in honour of their sacrifice.
“This operation not only underscores the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for fallen heroes but also highlights the continued degradation of IPOB/ESN criminal networks and infrastructure across the South East.
“The discovery of shallow graves within their camp further exposes the group’s heinous atrocities and disregard for human life.”
The Nigerian Army reassured the general public that ongoing operations will continue until all criminal elements are neutralised and lasting peace is restored across the region.
“We appreciate the law-abiding citizens for the information and urge you remain vigilant and continue to support security agencies with timely and credible information,” it added.
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