Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, has urged South-East states to refrain from participating in nationwide protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024. These protests, organized by various groups, aim to address the escalating living costs and hardships faced by Nigerians. Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, released a statement explaining the organization’s stance, citing historical instances where Igbo people have disproportionately suffered during major protests and riots.

Isiguzoro referred to events like the 1978 “ALI MUST GO” protests, the 1989 anti-SAP riots, the 1993 June 12 protests, the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, and the 2020 END SARS protests, highlighting significant losses of life and property for the Igbo community. The organization emphasized that the prevailing security challenges in the Southeast region make it impossible to conduct safe protests, and participation could exacerbate existing security issues, leading to further chaos.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also expressed concerns that Igbos could once again be perceived as sacrificial lambs in the upcoming protests, urging Igbo residents in the northern states and the Southwest to boycott the protests for their safety. The organization stressed that the primary focus for the Southeast region should be the release of Nnamdi Kanu, rather than engaging in nationwide protests.