Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation has stated that it believes in one Nigeria and will not be part of anything that will bring disunity in the country.
This was contained in a statement released on Tuesday by the President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo youth worldwide and Ambassador, Arthur Obiora.
The group said the greatness of the country will only be realised when all sections of the country from North to West to the South work together as one people.
The Igbo group also condoled with the people of South West, South East and South-South on the quantum of destruction witnessed in those areas including loss of lives during the #EndSARs protests.
The group also warned the youths across all sections to desist from making utterances capable of plunging Nigeria in chaos.
Obiora also commended different State governments for setting up judicial panels, while calling on them to include the youths on such panels
The statement reads in parts;
“We the young people of the Igbo Speaking Area under the auspices of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing Worldwide, wish to use this medium to call for calm and restoration of law and order in the country.
“We state categorically that we are in total support of the #EndSARS protest demanding an end to police brutality, extortion, fortune and killings of innocent citizens’ especially young persons by different units of the police force, with special emphasis on SARS.
“There are numerous cases of our people who have fallen victims to police brutality and for that reason; we commend the initiators of the protests for providing an opportunity for young people to express their grievances concerning such acts.
“We commend Mr. President and the Federal Government for accepting and granting the #5 for 5 demands of the young people during the protests.
“That none of the 5 points were dropped nor amended clearly shows that for once, young people have collectively gotten the government to listen to our sincere agitations on an issue.
“We also commend the state governments that have already set up their judicial panels of inquiry as part of the demands of the #EndSARS protests and call on others to do same so that the panels can get to work and deliver on the directive of the Federal Government.
“We commiserate with our brothers and sisters of South West extraction for the great loss suffered, most especially in Lagos State.
“We also commiserate with the families of those who lost their lives and all the State Governments that have suffered great economic loss due to the massive vandalism and looting that took place these past couple of days.
“We pray that peace is restored immediately, so that rebuilding and restoration will commence immediately.
“We commend our brothers and sisters in the Northern part of the country who resisted all forms of provocation instigated by traitors who do not mean well for our country.
“We acknowledge that we are one people, with a common goal and destiny. Our greatness will only be realized when we work together as one people.
“Ohanaeze calls on every young person to desist from acts and utterances that are aimed at plunging this country into chaos. We will not allow anyone derail this country on its course to greatness.
“Finally, Ohanaeze will like to reaffirm and pledge our commitment and support to a united Nigeria. We pray that God will continue to bless and keep us together and united.”
Again, the Igbo group said those who desecrated the statue of the late great first President of Nigeria and Igbo icon, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe would not go unpunished.
Ohanaeze said those who burnt the statue of Zik in Onitsha did not show respect to Igbo, adding that the West would never do such to the statue of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
