Ohanaeze Ndigbo has rejected calls for South-East participation in the June 12 Democracy Day protest, citing security concerns and political scapegoating.
The group warned of alleged plots to hijack the protests and frame Igbos, stressing unity and caution amid rising national tensions.
The apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has firmly declared that the South-East region will not be participating in the nationwide Democracy Day protest scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2025.
In a strongly worded statement released by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group emphasized that the decision to abstain from the protest is not due to indifference but is a calculated move aimed at preserving the safety and well-being of the Igbo people across the country.
According to Ohanaeze, the volatile security situation in the South-East, compounded by decades of political marginalization and past experiences of being scapegoated during national crises, makes any form of public demonstration a significant risk to lives and property. The organization insisted that until the Federal Government takes concrete steps to address the long-standing grievances of the Igbo community, protests of any nature will not be tolerated in the region.
“We want to make it clear to the organizers of the Democracy Day protests that there is a prevailing consensus among the Igbo people to stay away from any form of demonstration whether within the South-East or in other regions of the country,” the statement read.
Ohanaeze went further to allege that credible intelligence has revealed a sinister plot being hatched in major cities such as Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, and Lagos. The group claims that some unpatriotic politicians and anti-democratic forces are scheming to hijack the planned protests as a tool to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. More alarmingly, these elements allegedly plan to frame the Igbo as the masterminds behind any ensuing unrest, thereby putting the South-East at risk of being unfairly targeted once again.
“This dangerous narrative must be firmly resisted. We have learned bitter lessons from history. Time and again, in periods of political turmoil, our people have been made scapegoats bearing the brunt of reprisals and political fallout. From the events leading up to the civil war to more recent episodes of unrest, Ndigbo have suffered disproportionately,” the statement added.
In light of these historical wounds and current threats, Ohanaeze warned that it would not condone any protest activity within the South-East region unless specific demands are met. Among the organization’s foremost conditions is the immediate and unconditional release of all Igbo prisoners of conscience who remain unjustly detained in various parts of Nigeria.
“The safety and dignity of our people are paramount,” Isiguzoro stated. “Until there is meaningful dialogue and visible action from the Federal Government in addressing our critical demands, including the release of innocent detainees and genuine steps toward political inclusion, we will not be drawn into actions that may endanger our communities.”
The organization reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to peaceful dialogue, insisting that constructive engagement with the Nigerian state remains the preferred path for resolving deep-rooted grievances. However, it issued a stern warning to any group or political entity attempting to manipulate national protests for selfish ends or to further marginalize the South-East.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo concluded by reiterating its resolve to protect Igbo interests across Nigeria and called on all Igbos to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and united in the face of any provocation or political manipulation.
