Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Igbo apex socio-cultural group, has urged President Tinubu to tackle the escalating insecurity plaguing the Nation’s capital, Abuja and warned him to remain wary of potential “Northern conspiracy.”
In a statement on Monday, signed by Secretary General Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the group expressed concern over recent pronouncements and actions by Northern leaders, which it sees as potential threats to Tinubu’s administration.
The statement reads in part: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, calls upon President Tinubu to take immediate action in addressing the escalating insecurity challenges in Abuja. Additionally, we urge him to remain vigilant and cautious of a potential Northern conspiracy against his administration. Recent events and statements by prominent Northern leaders underscore the need for urgent attention to these matters.
“In the past months, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has observed with great concern the alarming utterances and vituperations of influential Northern leaders directed towards President Tinubu. Firstly, the Arewa Economic Forum, led by Ibrahim Shehu Yahaya, accused Tinubu of deliberately promoting a “Yorubanisation” and “Lagoslisation of the polity” through appointments in crucial economic and security sectors that allegedly favor the Yorubas of Southwest.
“Subsequently, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric and Northern leader, issued a warning to President Tinubu regarding his administration’s supposed alignment with Muslims and the North. This warning was prompted by FCT Minister Wike’s meeting with the Israeli ambassador to discuss strategies for improving Abuja’s security issues. Additionally, Abuja witnessed protests sponsored by Northern leaders mainly against Wike.
“Furthermore, there have been accusations from the Northern leadership about the relocation of FAAN and CBN offices from Abuja to Lagos, accompanied by other grievances raised by the North. These events collectively ring alarm bells and highlight the need for President Tinubu to prioritize addressing the insecurity challenges in Abuja, which may be exacerbated by economic hardships and certain Northern tendencies.
“On the economic front, the removal of fuel subsidy has plunged Abuja residents and Nigerians into suffering. The consequences, including the soaring prices of petroleum products, high inflation rates, increased costs of goods and services, and escalated transportation fares, have resulted in job losses, particularly with the exit of international multinational companies like SHELL OIL from Nigeria.
“In light of these economic struggles, President Tinubu must also remain cautious of Northern tendencies, especially considering the current ‘RED LIGHTS’ being flaunted. The Federal Government would do well to learn from past experiences, such as the Northern ganged up against Former President Jonathan, who used insecurity as a political weapon. Those who compelled Jonathan to disregard the warnings from the North, particularly regarding policies that were not favorable to them, including the 2014 Constitutional conference reports, those that made Jonathan a one-term President, are still present within President Tinubu’s administration.
“The rising level of insecurity in Abuja serves as a clear warning sign that the Federal Government must be on high alert or face disastrous consequences for both the government and the Nigerian people as a whole.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo implores President Tinubu to take immediate action to address the insecurity challenges in Abuja and to remain vigilant in order to safeguard his administration against any potential Northern conspiracy. The welfare and security of Nigerians depend on proactive measures being taken to counter these threats.”
