Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has announced that the Southeast will abstain from the planned nationwide protests set for October 1st. The protests, labeled as “Fearless and National Survival Day,” have been organized by unnamed parties, allegedly including two former presidential candidates. The group’s Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, revealed that there has been pressure to get Southeast residents, as well as Igbos in other regions, to participate. However, Ohanaeze expressed concerns that the protests may be politically motivated and could exploit the current economic hardship to push the Igbo people into a dangerous situation.
Isiguzoro highlighted the severe economic impacts felt by the Igbo community, especially due to the Naira's devaluation, which has negatively affected business operations. Ohanaeze warned that these protests could worsen tensions in the country and cautioned the Igbo people to stay away from them to avoid being scapegoated in larger political schemes.