Igbo may resort to self-help if attacked by northern youth —Ibegbu, Ohanaeze spokesperson

JUDE OSSAI  engages the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chuks Ibegbu, on the threat issued to Igbo in the North, sectarian agitations, among others. Excerpts:

WHAT do you think about the ultimatum issued to Igbo in the North?

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo expressed regret over the outburst of the Arewa Youth as the  invidious act has no doubt sent shock waves all over the country. The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has called on Ndigbo in the North to remain calm and vigilant. We also call on security agents to take necessary steps to investigate the matter and give appropriate necessary sanctions against the perpetrators of the divisive call. We equally expect Arewa and the Northern Elders Forum to rise to the challenges of the moment.

Should the North carry out its threat, what will Igbo do?

Definitely, when people are threatened they are bound to react and they are bound to be unsettled. There could be mass movement and fear in the North. It will affect both those threatening the eviction and those being threatened, economically and otherwise. Of course, the first law in Heaven is self defence. Nobody will sit idle waiting to be hacked by mobs. So, the Igbo are bound to defend themselves. We hope the governors of the North, Arewa leaders and security agents will not allow the situation to generate to the Igbo resorting to self-help.

What is the next line of action for Ohanaeze?

It depends on how the government of the day, which has the sacred duty to protect lives and property of every citizen, approaches the matter. If the government is alive to its responsibility, then there will be no cause for alarm because they will handle the matter appropriately. But if not, then the Igbo will resort to self-help to secure their lives, economy and dignity as a people. If it comes to the level where intermixing and social intercourse of both ethnic groups is threatened, the Igbo can ask the Northerners to leave the East too. But we hope, it does not come to that level.

What is the solution to perennial claims of marginalisation by almost all sections of the country?

The solution is treating every section equally. The government should create a level-playing ground for all sections of the country. A situation where the South-East has five states and 95 local government councils when other zones have up to six and seven states and these are parts of the requirements for sharing national cake. The South-East losses more than N300 billion every year and it affects our youths as well as recruitment in armed forces, federal civil service, para-military agencies and representation in National Assembly. The South-East has the least of these structural units. This is the reason for our agitation.

Do you not think this is the right time to consciously restructure Nigeria in a way that will solve all the issues being expressed by all sections of the country?

Definitely, this is the right time to carry out a restructuring of the country. If the resolution of 2014 National Confab is implemented, the issues expressed by all sections of the country will be addressed. The call for Biafra, Niger/Delta republic, Oduduwa republic and Boko Haram Islamic republic will be addressed.  But that does not mean that some people will not insist on self-determination. After all, Britain with her level of development and sophistication still has pockets of protagonists of self-determination. And nobody has the right to suppress such opinion. Only through moral persuasion can such issues like self-determination be addressed.