The Chairman of the Forum of National Youth Leaders of all Political Parties in Nigeria, Mr. Eze Chukwu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant amnesty to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a means to address the recurring violence in the South-East region.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Chukwu argued that extending the same amnesty program offered to former Niger Delta militants could bring lasting peace to the region.
He traced the roots of IPOB to the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), which he described as a response to perceived injustices against the Igbo people.
“I am convinced that if the Igbo are given their due place in the scheme of things, the idea of Biafra agitation wouldn’t have arisen in the first place.
If the needful had been done earlier, the agitation would have been put to rest,” he stated.
Chukwu urged the government to take swift action, including extraditing Mazi Simon Ekpa, a key figure in the Biafra agitation, and addressing the region’s issues comprehensively to prevent the emergence of new leaders within IPOB.
“My dear President, let the Federal Government step up action to extradite Mazi Simon Ekpa and issue a statement on plans to solve this problem in the South-East once and for all. I suggest amnesty for IPOB members, similar to what was granted to Niger Delta militants.
This will calm nerves, deter further problems, and prevent the emergence of another IPOB leader,” he added.
Chukwu emphasized the need for a political solution, urging the Federal Government to establish a South-East Development Commission to rehabilitate IPOB members willing to surrender their arms under an amnesty program.
“You will be recognised in your lifetime and remembered after your death if you restore normalcy in the South-East.
The arrest of Ekpa is a significant step as it could end the sit-at-home orders and related violent crimes,” Chukwu concluded.
He expressed optimism that with decisive action, President Tinubu could bring an end to the longstanding agitation and secure peace in the region.
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