By Karen James
“Unyielding Plea for Freedom: Youth Call for Unconditional Release of IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu”
In a resolute stance against nationwide protests, the youth under the banner of ‘Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youths Worldwide’ have declared their refusal to participate in the planned “End Bad Governance” protest slated for August 1st this year. Instead, they have voiced their demand for the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been held in correctional custody since 2021, alongside other incarcerated youths across the nation.
During their one-day emergency convention in Enugu, the National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, read the communique which expressed concerns about escalating ethnic tensions and divisions that could threaten the interests of Ndigbo if protests were to proceed. Instead, they propose engaging in dialogue with the federal government and Southeast governors to address the challenges faced by the region.
Acknowledging the reasons for dissent, including economic hardship, youth unemployment, marginalization, and property demolitions affecting Igbo people, the youth council emphasized the need to prevent violence and the targeting of Igbo citizens as witnessed during the Endsars protest of 2020. Their aim is to advocate for equity, fairness, and a sense of belonging, while also seeking one additional state to balance the Southeast with other regions.
Expressing frustration with the lack of inclusion by the region’s governors, the Igbo youths demanded accountability and vowed that a day of reckoning will come. They did, however, commend President Bola Tinubu for signing the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC) into law, considering it a positive step towards reconstruction and rehabilitation in the war-ravaged zone.
The meeting, attended by leaders from the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), and youths representing Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states, highlighted the youths’ determination to pursue their cause through dialogue and engagement rather than participating in nationwide protests that could potentially result in further loss of lives and property.
