The Nationwide protest scheduled for August 1st to 10th 2024 will see Ndigbo as spectators, not as participatory, National President General Ohanaeze Youth Council, OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka has said.
A statement signed by him on Saturday said no Igbo man or woman would be seen participating in the nationwide protest titled “End Bad Government in Nigeria 2024”, scheduled to take place from August 1 to August 10.
“The ten-day protest under the banner of “Days Of Rage” wouldn’t hear the cry of anyone born of Igbo blood. Ndigbo has seen it all in Nigeria, we have seen death, blood and starvation. What are we hungry for “Beans and Rice” “Cassava and Agbado”?
“The real protest Ndigbo will Join is only a protest that will alter the section (2) of Nigeria 1999 Constitution as Amended, the ” Indivisible and Indissoluble clause” Ndigbo wouldn’t get involved in a protest of Hunger because Ndigbo are not hungry for food, Ndigbo are only hungry for ” Referendum, yes verily hungry for freedom and political liberation.
“We can’t be eaten by leprosy and we’re busy romancing ringworms, so Ndigbo is hungry for political emancipation, not hungry for “Beans and Rice”, or “Cassava and Agbado”. We’re hungry for Referendum.
“Apart from the 1966 pogrom which broke the Carmel back, there are other litanies of killings and massacres against the Igbos like, In Jos 1945 ( 2000 Igbos were killed), In Jos 1953 (150 Igbos were killed), In Kano genocide 1945 ( 200 Igbos were killed), In Kano 1954 genocide (30,000 Igbos were killed.
“Killings has been the only special delicacy served to the Igbos by this contraption called Nigeria from time immemorial yet Nigerians haven’t convoked a Nationwide protest. All the above litanies of killings of Ndigbo couldn’t attract Nationwide protest, but because the “Beans and Rice” or “Cassava and Agbado” price was increased, you want Ndigbo to line up to protest. Does this sound logical and rational to you?
“Let no one drag Ndigbo into petty matters in Nigeria while leaving the crucial matters. Asking Ndigbo to join the hunger protest is absurd. You can’t ask Ndigbo to be romancing ringworms while they are being eaten by leprosy.
“The 1966 pogrom from May to Sept 29th claimed over eighty thousand lives of Ndigbo, yet none of the part or region of this contraption known as Nigeria called for Nationwide protest. Does it mean that an increase of “Beans and Rice” or “Agbado and Cassava” is more precious than the lives of Ndigbo?
“From 1967 to 1970 Ndigbo protested for survival in Nigeria’s political context, none of the tribes joined Ndigbo in protesting rather other tribes conspired with the Nigeria Government in the approval and support of the British government and murdered 4.3 million Igbos.
“The 1967 to 1970 marathon Genocide against Ndigbo was perpetuated by Britain, Russia, Egypt, France, USA, Germany and other World powers the most famous Genocide in the world, more grievous than the Jewish Holocaust of 1945-46.
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“Nigerians couldn’t call for a nationwide protest on October 1967 about the Osowa Ogbe Square Asaba massacre by Nigeria 2nd Division under Murtala Mohammed, during which Ibrahim Haruna and Ibrahim Taiwo slaughtered over Seven hundred (700) Igbos especially male children, adult male, in a disguised to address them for peace.
“Our fathers and mothers heard the multiple sounds of guns in their backyard like Oliver De Coque’s guitar. The sound of bombs blast, jet fighters, rocket launchers and grenades.
“After the three-year marathon Genocide against Ndigbo, none of the tribes in Nigeria showed any form of solidarity to Ndigbo.
“In a silent attempt to kill Nnamdi Kanu with mini-genocide against Ndigbo especially targeted at Igbo Youths and Indigenous People Of Biafra, the operation Python Dance was launched in 2017 and there was military attack at Afaraukwu Ibeku Umuahia Abia state Nnamdi Kanu’s country home, over 180 Igbo Youths were massacred under the then president Mohammadu Buhari, yet there was no nationwide protest.
“Today some people want Ndigbo to join Nationwide protest for the mere increase of beans and rice or cassava and agbado. Let me remind the rest of Nigerians, that Ndigbo value life, life is sacred than beans and rice or cassava and agbado.
“We wouldn’t take other tribes and regions in Nigeria seriously until they stage a protest against section (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended, the “indivisible and Indissoluble” clause. The real Nationwide protest in Nigeria should be a protest to alter section (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended and give room for Referendum/ Right for self-determination. The best Nationwide protest that will address the problem of Nigeria is the protest for Referendum/Self-determination quest.
“To mourn and appeal to the spirit of our patriotism Biafra Soldiers, especially the teenage Biafra Soldiers who offered and volunteered to defend our motherland with the last pint of their blood.
“To mourn and appeal to the spirit of infant Biafran who died in Kwashiorkor as a result of starvation and food blockage from the Federal Government of Nigeria as advised by Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“To mourn and appeal to the spirit of our pregnant women and smashing of unborn babies in 1966 pogrom, No one that has Igbo blood should Join the nationwide hunger protest.
“The ‘Tinubu Must Go’ slogan coined by the organizers of the protest is a zeal without knowledge. Where the Truth lies is “Tinubu Will Not Go” But if “Tinubu Must Go” who will replace Tinubu? The Real deal here is we will wait for 2027 to decide if Tinubu Must Go or Not.
“But why will those who sabotaged the 2023 presidential ballot Revolution shout “Tinubu Must Go”? Go where, please? Before 2023 Ndigbo saw Nigeria of 2024, a fragile Nigeria and a Nigeria in hit by tornado but some people saw tribalism. By 2027, then we will know how real they are on the “Tinubu Must Go” slogan.
“Any Nationwide protest that’s not targeted at changing the current existing political structure in Nigeria is like pouring water on a stone. Is like a man romancing a ringworm on his head while he is being eaten by leprosy.’
He argued that the nationwide hunger protest would have just two effects.
“It is either the killings of innocent protesters by police and army, or Bola Tinubu will release a fake promise to calm the situation down.
“Ndigbo will only participate if the Nationwide protest will be designed to Alter Section (2) of the 1999 constitution as Amended” to expunge the “Indivisible and Indissoluble” clause to give room for Referendum/Right for self-determination.
“Let’s protest for Referendum/ self-determination, not for an increase in beans and rice or cassava and agbado
“Let’s stop romancing ringworm in Nigeria while we are being eaten by leprosy,” he added.
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