The apex Igbo socio-cultural body, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has condemned the silence of South-East governors in the face of continuous killings in the region, warning that the bloodshed signals a dire collapse of governance.
The group decried the brutal killings of over 300 Igbos in just the first quarter of 2025, allegedly perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen, and described the absence of a coordinated state response as a betrayal of leadership and duty.
These were contained in a statement by the indigenous group’s Deputy President, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro and made available to newsmen on Tuesday.
“The Apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, finds it imperative to express its profound concern regarding the egregious reports detailing the brutal killings of over 300 individuals in the South-East during the first quarter of 2025.
“This heinous loss of life, compounded by the conspicuous conspiracy of silence exhibited by our South-East Governors, represents a dual tragedy that the Igbo Nation categorically deems unacceptable.
“The inaction observed among our political leaders, especially the South-East Governors, is not merely a passive acceptance of a grim reality but an alarming indication of the collapse of governance in the face of the terror unleashed by Fulani herdsmen across our homeland.”
Ohanaeze invoked the legacy of past Igbo heroes, expressing anguish that the courage and vision they once embodied had been replaced by a silence that is as deafening as it is also dangerous.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo delivers this wake-up message with urgency: our esteemed forebears—legendary figures such as Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr Michael Okpara, Dr Francis Akanu-Ibia, Dr C.C. Onoh, Chief Sam Mbakwe, Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu, and Dr Alex Ekwueme—would undoubtedly express their profound dismay over the craven silence and hypocrisy displayed by current South-East Governors.
“The stark reality is that while innocent Igbo farmers are subjected to relentless attacks, their leaders remain conspicuously absent from the fight against this palpable jihadist threat. Such lethargy in governance betrays the very essence of leadership and undermines the security and dignity of the Igbo people”, the group lamented.
The group further urged the international community to pay attention to what it called an “unfolding siege” and issued a bold ultimatum to state authorities.
“Let the international community bear witness: Igboland is under siege. Fulani jihadist terrorists have ruthlessly claimed the lives of approximately 300 Igbos in a span of just three months. Ohanaeze Ndigbo now demands an immediate cessation of this conspiracy of silence among our Governors. We call for urgent and decisive action to address the escalating insecurity in our region. Should this inaction persist, the Igbo Nation will be left with no alternative but to seek intervention from President Tinubu. In such a case, we will advocate for the invocation of Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution to declare a state of emergency in our beleaguered states”, it further stated.
Speaking further, Ohanaeze urged Igbo leaders to rise from complacency and defend their people.
“This is a definitive wake-up call for our governors to earnestly address the grievances of the people and to actively participate in restoring peace and security in the South-East. In unity and vigilance, we stand firm”, the statement concluded.