Oct 20 Protest: Conduct Yourselves To Avoid Being Victims Of Circumstances, Youth Leaders Urge Ndigbo

Oct 20 protest: conduct yourselves to avoid being victim of circumstances louth leaders urge Ndigbo 

Chinedum Treasure 

Igbo youth leaders and stakeholders have described October 20 planned protest to demand for release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as national action against injustice in the country.

The leaders under the agies of Igbo Youth Leaders and Stakeholders Assembly stated this in Awka in Anambra state after their emergency meeting.

Rights activist, Omoyele Sowore has been mobilising for the planned protest scheduled for October 20 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

Addressing a World Press Conference on Thursday, Acting National Youth Leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu expressed solidarity and support for the conveners of the protest.

He noted that the leaders have been making the call for Kanu’s release for a long time.

According to him, the leaders see the development as national action against injustice, calling on other ethnic regions and all lovers of justice, to join the demand for Kanu’s unconditional release.

He called on Ndigbo to ensure proper conduct of themselves so as not to fall victim of any unforeseen circumstances, insisting that Mazi Kanu will not want any innocent blood to be shed on his behalf.

Commending his organization's leadership, Southeast Governors and other notable leaders and stakeholders, both dead and alive, for their commitment to relative peace in the area, the youths urged them to mouth more pressure on Federal Government to take the needful action.

“With the establishment of the South East Development Commission, SEDC, we thought that the civil war is over, but with recent realities, we are convinced that the cold war is still on, ranging from social and economic sabotage, outright exclusion of Ndigbo from National privileges and benefits.

“We call on the Federal Government to extend its recent good disposition to Ndigbo by granting amnesty to the agitators and releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. 

"This is in view of the fact that the Federal Government has not been able to convict him of the charges against him. 

"We advocate for Kanu's release as a political solution to the numerous security challenges in Ala Igbo,” Okpalaezeukwu said.

National Vice President of the National Council of Nigeria, NYCN, Amb Innocent Nduanya underscored need for Ndigbo, especially the youths not to allow themselves to be used to perpetrate any act that may cause chaos or violence.

“What we are saying is that people should participate but not constitute nuisance during the protest. If you are sitting at home, do so in peace.

“A lot has been said about observing sit-at-home on that day, and we believe Igbos are now more wiser,” he added.

Also speaking, former Senate President, National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS), Mazi Chuks Okafor described unconditional release of Kanu from detention as key to sustainable peace in Southeast.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to listen to cries of the people and do the needful.