Eze Chukwu, Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria, has called on President Bola Tinubu to offer amnesty to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Abuja, Chukwu suggested that, just as amnesty was granted to former Niger Delta militants, a similar gesture towards IPOB could help end the ongoing violence in the South-East.
He explained that the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) gave rise to IPOB, both movements aiming to highlight issues of injustice faced by the Igbo people.
am convinced that if the Igbo people were given their rightful place in the nation, the Biafra agitation would never have started, and if the necessary actions had been taken earlier, it could have been resolved by now.
“With the self-proclaimed leaders of IPOB now arrested, it is crucial for the government to act swiftly to prevent the rise of new leaders and find a lasting solution to this long-standing issue.
“My dear President, I urge the Federal Government to take decisive action to extradite Mazi Simon Ekpa and make a public statement outlining plans to permanently resolve the situation in the South-East.”
I recommend offering amnesty to IPOB members, similar to what was done for the former militants in the Niger Delta. This would help ease tensions, prevent further issues, and stop the rise of another IPOB leader,” he stated.
He also suggested that a political solution be pursued swiftly.
He added that President Tinubu would be greatly honored if he were able to restore peace to the region.
“You will be recognized while alive and remembered after death. I am pleased that Ekpa’s arrest will likely put an end to the sit-at-home protests and the violence linked to their actions,” he remarked.
He stated that with the creation of the South-East Development Commission, it would be easier to rehabilitate IPOB members if they lay down their arms as part of the amnesty program.
