Group recommends diplomacy as best approach to secessionist agitations
By Marcel Duru Owerri
Igbo National Movement, a sociopolitical pressure group, has recommended diplomacy as the best approach to secessionist and other agitations in parts of the country.
This is contained in a release co-signed by the group’s President General , Anthony Olisa-Okolo, Vice President, Onyemuche Mbachu and secretary, Ugo Akpe-Onwuka in Owerri on Monday.
According to the release, the group blamed rising insecurity in the country on absence of diplomacy in addressing separatist concerns in various parts of the country.
It called on the Federal Government to employ dialogue and diplomatic interaction so as to fully understand the major reasons for the clamour for secession, address these and forestall violence.
The group further pointed out that separatist group do not represent the general interest of a particular people hence the need for a diplomatic approach.
” We urge the government to employ diplomacy to resolve the issues raised by agitators and eschew the use of force as a method of first resort.
” Insecurity, especially in the southeast is a result of failure to diplomatically approach sundry grievances and agitations rather than unleash military force.
” We wish to state that Igbo people as a whole have never expressed widespread support for the Biafran agitation although we acknowledge that it is the constitutional right of those individuals to express their democratic rights in a non-violent manner “, it said.
It further called on political office holders to desist from the “use of divisive language which can fuel aggression and a vengeful spirit”.
It added that there may be justifiable reasons for the various agitations for self-determination by diverse ethn ic nationals within the Federation and called on government to explore dialogue.
It described the Igbo people as peace loving, accommodating and progressive and argued that violent reactions are alien to the people.
” There are justifiable reasons for the various agitations for self-determination by diverse ethnic nationals within the Federation and this is why government should respond to the agitations with fraternal considerations rather than the use of force.
” Ndigbo love peace, unity and progress, hence our adage, “Egbe Bere Ugo Bere, Nke Si Ibe Ya Ebele, Nku Kwa Ya” (simply put, “Live and Let Live”) “, it said.
