President Muhammed Buhari has been advised to dialogue with the Igbo youths demanding for secession rather than deploying troops to the region.
This advice came from a veteran musician and activist, Onyeka Onwenu during a press statement organised by the Credible Igbo Women Initiative (CIWI) in Lagos on Thursday.
While expressing concern over the wanton killings in Igboland, the activist said: “Something dreadful is happening in South-East right now. I happened to come from Imo state and I know what people are passing through there. Please, the Federal Government should stop the killings.
“Some people want to agitate for a referendum, it is their right. Some people want to cry out that they are being marginalized, it is their right. Listen to them. You may not agree with them, but they have the right to speak.”
According to Onwenu, listening to the agitating youths would help the situation rather than deployment of troops to the region.
“We are begging, we are asking, please let us sit down and talk about what is going on. Let’s call our people who are agitating, who are not happy with the situation and talk to them. Nigerian government let’s talk. Pull out the troops from Igboland,” added.
She also implored the youths to dialogue with the government at a time like this.
She pleaded, “I also want to use this opportunity to reach out to our young people to embrace dialogue. Please, come let’s talk. We will stand for the right of Igbo people.”