Why the Igbo Community Avoided Nationwide Protests According to Ukwu and Ameh
The fact that the Igbo people, particularly from the five Southeast states, did not join the nationwide End Bad Governance protest starting August 1 is well-known now. This decision has sparked debate about why they chose not to participate and what it means for the country.
In other regions, protesters took to the streets for over five days, expressing their anger about poor governance, hunger, and hardship. The protests turned violent in the North, with looting and curfews being imposed to manage the chaos. Meanwhile, the Southeast remained quiet, leading many to question whether the Igbo are unaffected by the country’s economic problems.
Chief Peter Ameh, former Presidential candidate and national secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), attributes the Igbo’s lack of participation to perceived unfair treatment and marginalization. He argues that the Igbo feel unjustly blamed and excluded, especially under the current APC government. Ameh also cites past failures, like the unimplemented Reconstruction, Reconciliation, and Rehabilitation program, as reasons for the Igbo’s disengagement.
He believes that the Southeast’s boycott could have long-term effects, such as further marginalization and division, and missed opportunities for collaboration and advocacy. Ameh suggests that this avoidance might be seen as a lack of commitment to addressing national issues.
Prof. Obasi Igwe from the United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) supports Ameh’s views, stating that the Igbo’s disinterest in the protests stems from a lack of trust in the organizers and a concern that their participation might lead to blame and further violence against them. He also criticizes the protest’s methods and organizers for not adequately addressing the specific grievances of the Igbo.
Dr. Lloyd Ukwu from the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO-USA) views the Igbo’s decision to stay away from the protest as prudent, noting that Nigerian politicians often use ethnicity and religion to manipulate and divide the population. He points out that similar tactics have influenced other groups’ decisions to protest or not in the past.
