Igbo Group Supports Tinubu’s Second Term Bid, Pushes For New States And Economic Revitalization Details

In a statement signed by its Deputy President General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Sunday, the group urged the President to utilize his executive power to ensure the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu in 2025.

Isiguzoro emphasized that Kanu’s release is not just an act of mercy but a vital step towards restoring peace and addressing the insecurity challenges in the Southeast.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization also called for the expedited completion of rehabilitation and reconstruction projects on Southeast’s federal roads. Under the supervision of Minister of Works Senator David Umahi, these projects are considered crucial for fostering economic growth and social cohesion in the region. The group stressed the necessity of completing these projects by the end of 2026.

Ohanaeze highlighted the importance of rotational presidency, insisting that the South should retain leadership from 2023 to 2031 after the North’s eight-year presidency under Muhammadu Buhari.

The statement also addressed the political landscape, criticizing opposition parties for their lack of coherence and leadership. Ohanaeze warned against political maneuvers that could undermine the collective aspirations of the Igbo people, referencing previous alliances with figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi in 2019.

The organization proposed various measures to advance the Southeast, including accurate representation in the 2025 Census to reflect ethnic and religious demographics, the creation of new states such as Anioma in the South-South and Aba in the Southeast, and the revitalization of key economic corridors. Projects like reopening the Calabar Seaport, reviving the Enugu Coal Mine, establishing the Akwete Blue River Deep Seaport, and upgrading railway networks were emphasized as essential for boosting the region’s economic potential.