The Youth Council of Ohaneze Ndigbo, has stated that people of the South East region have the largest stake in Nigeria, hence it is unrealistic to agitate for secession from the country.

The group, while appealing to the federal government to release the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, alos urged him to seek better alternatives for seeking self determination.

The apex Ndigbo group made its position known on Friday, at a world press conference in Abuja on Friday.

Speaking through its national president Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and the Secretary General, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, the Youth Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said: “You will recall that for some months now, there have been raging protests in the south east and south south over the detention of the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. These protests have led to the death of some protesters in Anambra, Abia and other states. We are saddened by these avoidable deaths.”

“We as the youth of Ndigbo will be shirking in our responsibility and duty if we fail to state our position, opinion and suggestions on the way forward to this burning issue. In the first place, we believe in a united Nigeria anchored on justice and equity.”

“We believe that all problems and issue in Nigeria can be solved through dialogue and redoubtable discussion. We are conscious of the poverty and youth unemployment ravaging the country and the south east in particular. We are also aware of her infrastructural challenges and deficiencies in igboland.”

“These may have contributed to the rage for a neo-Biafra as an escapee route. But it is our considered opinion that there is now an element of fame and fortune seeking in the whole exercise. The euphoria and frenzy in the whole issue can be rechanneled to an insistence for equity, level playing field and justice for all Nigerians.”

“Ndigbo have a lot of stake in Nigeria. In fact, they have the largest stake in Nigeria. Their forebears fought for the independence of Nigeria. In fact, Igbos are Nigeria’s landlord and a landlord cannot leave his house for tenants.”

“Who is more Nigerian than Igbos who constitute the second largest group after the indigenous people of every state in Nigeria? How can we swim in Imo River rather than Atlantic Ocean? Do we realize that more than eighty percent of Igbo investments are outside Igbo land?

“However, we also hold the federal government responsible for not doing enough for our youths. If there is strong federal presence in the zone, our youths will not see Biafra as an alternative and fortune and fame seekers will not capitalize on that to hoodwink our gullible youths.”

“We therefore want to appeal to the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu. However, he (Kanu) should not continue with hate or inciting broadcast from Radio Biafra if he is released. There is now a civilized way of even seeking for self determination and that is referendum. It is a better option that hate broadcast and protest.”

“We call on security agents not to use force and live bullets in tackling the challenges in the south east and south South. Dialogue remains the best option. What efforts have pro-Biafran protesters made to inquire how our political office holders spend the money that accrue to Igboland from the center? We believe most of our problems are caused by our political leaders who often pocket the money that accrue to our area.”

“Referendum is a civilized way. Wether it is in our constitution or not, it is most reasonable way of approaching the issue. We urge the national assembly to accommodate referendum in the constitution.”

Kolapo Olapoju