Coalition Of Igbo Political, Social – Cultural Groups, Exonerates President Tinubu’s Govt. Over Nations Economic Woes, Caution Against Protest, Demands Nnamdi Kanu’s Release 

By Divine Chisom Emmanuel 

In what was seen as an obvious show of support to President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government, a group known as “Coalition of Igbo Political Social Cultural Groups In Lagos “, has passed a vote of confidence on the present Federal Administration, exonerated it from the present economic calamity, while urging Nigerians to indulge the regime more time to bring the ailing economy out of the wood.

Speaking yesterday at a press conference held at the Airport Hotel Ikeja Lagos,organized  to distance it’s members from the planned #End Bad Governance Protest#, the Group vowed that Igbos in Lagos state are not part  and will not participate in the proposed August protest .

Speaking on his group behalf, High Chief Anselm Njoku, stated this “After  an empirical analysis and over view of the current economic situation in Nigeria, we as a body, agree that it is not in dispute that there is hardship in the country”.

Continuing, Chief Njoku,known as Akeweje of Alausa , Lagos state, said that “however, current economic down turn is not limited to Nigeria alone,as other developed and developing Nations are going through almost same situation”.

Exonerating the Federal Administration, he said,”it is therefore imperative and important to note that the current economic situation bedeviling our country is not caused by the present government led by President Shiwaju  Bola Ahmed Tinubu “.

Blaming past governments for the economic down turn, the group argued that ” rather, it is a cumulative effect and result of past bad governance, which logically and sensibly cannot be attributed to the present President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration, which is barely one year in the saddle”.

Contributing, Eze Ndigbo Ikeja, Eze Dr. Uche Dimgba, who the BOT Chairman of the Council of Ndieze in Lagos state, kicked against the planned agitation and protest, asking the citizens to give the government more time to revamp the ailing economy.

 The group said , “In view of the above said, we are saying that National protest at this time when the federal government is trying to revamp the economy is going to be counter productive, hence ill advised”.

Distancing themselves from the planned protest, they said thus ,  “Therefore 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 unsound agitation”.

They advised Nigerians to” develop the culture of dialogue with government and deploy constructive criticism without recourse to unnecessary provocative protest and violence ..

“It is in this regard that we enjoin all Igbos of all extractions,stakeholders ,residents, traders and captains of industries, not to join in the protest. 

” Lagos state is a Yoruba land and Ndigbo who are resident here  have contributed immensely to its development, so, cannot be used, coerced in whatever forms, to destroy assets.

“We are not  destruction prone and cannot be part of those seeking to destroy what we partly and jointly built . Ndigbo are not wired for destruction but  develops wherever we are residing.

The group alerted the Public to be aware of on going impersonation of Ndigbo’s names by some unscrupulous faceless elements.

” Let it be known that from all intelligence gatherings, the faceless Organizers of this planned protest are not known to us, not Igbos and are merely hiding under Ndigbo name,dropping Igbo names to create confusion and gather credibility “.

Chief Njoku in their speech commended the President Tinubu for allowing Igbos a say in his government.” We are therefore also using this opportunity to thank President  Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving The South East Development Commission and for deeming it right and due to appoint an Igbo illustrious Son as the Chief of Naval Staff and therefore allowing  Igbo ethnic group a say in the National security structure. We will greatly appreciate it if the President will make the Commission rewarding and beneficial to Ndigbo in general, touching the lives of People in that zone”.

Making demands on Tinubu’s Government, the group asked for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.

“In line with the robust relationship between Our President and  the South – East People, we appeal to the President ,as a gentleman Democrat ,to expedite action on the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, through a political process rather than Judiciary means, just as many prominent Ndigbo leaders had recently appealed and advocated”.

According to Njoku, the  coalition is made up of  sixteen 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, Igbo Market Men and  Women Associations and Leaders, who are in collaboration with Ndigbo In APC (authentic) .

Signatories to their press statement are High Chief Anselm Njoku, Anatuanatu Coordinator; Eze Dr. Uche Dimgba, Okpotemba,Eze Ndigbo Ikeja and BOT Chairman, Council Of Ndieze, Lagos state; Eze Chris Offia, Chairman,  Council of Ndieze, Lagos state; Chief Chris Ekeocha, Chairman, Presidents of Seven Igbo Town Unions In Lagos State; Hon. Nelly Okafor, President Market Women; Chief Sunday Eze, President – General, Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos state and Chief Sunday Ossia, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos state.