A prominent chieftain of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, has issued a passionate plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to officially declare an end to hostilities against the Igbos, particularly as the 54th anniversary of the Biafra war approaches. 

Isiguzoro emphasized the critical need for Tinubu to take decisive action by implementing a comprehensive strategy encompassing reconstruction, reconciliation, and rehabilitation. He also advocated for the opening up of the Eastern corridor to propel economic development and liberate the old Eastern region.

In a statement signed bu Okechukwu, he shed light on the historical neglect endured by the old Eastern region at the hands of past federal governments, resulting in sustained persecution and economic hardship for the Ndigbo community.

Highlighting the unaddressed aftermath of the Biafra war, Isiguzoro emphasized the failure of successive military and civilian administrations over the past 54 years to adequately reconstruct major infrastructures destroyed during the conflict. 

Isiguzoro reminded President Tinubu of outstanding issues, including the unmet reparation fees demanded by Igbo leaders during the tenures of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Musa Yar’Adua. He also highlighted the neglect of recommendations from the 2014 Constitutional conference and restructuring proposals put forth by the APC committee led by former Governor El-Rufai.

Expressing concern over the lack of a pardon for Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and other agitators, Isiguzoro urged President Tinubu to address the absence of federal infrastructural development in the Southeast urgently.

In his plea, Isiguzoro stated, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores President Tinubu to utilize his esteemed office to initiate the end of the war by prioritizing reconciliation, reconstruction, and rehabilitation in the Southeast.” He expressed hope that President Tinubu, recognized for his commitment to justice and fairness, would champion the cause to bring about an end to the war, fostering lasting peace, reconciliation, and development in the Southeast.

Isiguzoro added, “We believe that President Tinubu, with his well-known commitment to justice and fairness, can play a pivotal role in addressing the historical injustices faced by the people of the Southeast. It is our sincere hope that he will use his esteemed office to champion the cause of lasting peace and development in our region.”

He further emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The Southeast has suffered for too long due to neglect and deliberate exclusion. It is time for concrete actions that will bring about positive change and ensure a brighter future for our people.”

Isiguzoro concluded by expressing optimism about President Tinubu’s potential impact, saying, “We remain hopeful that President Tinubu, as a leader known for his commitment to justice and fairness, will lead the way in ending the war and ushering in an era of genuine reconciliation, peace, and prosperity in the Southeast.”