Human Rights Lawyer Throws Weight Behind Nationwide #EndBadgovernance Protests
A prominent human rights lawyer, Uche Onyeagucha, has joined the growing chorus of voices demanding an end to bad governance in Nigeria. In a statement issued over the weekend, Onyeagucha dismissed claims that the Igbo ethnic group is opposed to the nationwide #EndBadgovernance protests.
Onyeagucha, a former Owerri federal lawmaker, stated that Ndigbo are more opposed to bad governance than any other ethnic group in Nigeria. He cited records showing that Ndigbo have a long history of resisting bad government and oppression, dating back to the colonial era.
The lawyer pointed out that Ndigbo have five states in the South East zone, with each state having a different political party affiliation, making them a politically dynamic group. He noted that Ndigbo have struggled to have elections in the South East, with most zones having not witnessed an election since 1999.
Onyeagucha recalled how Ndigbo resisted military dictatorships, including Buhari’s Supreme Military Council in 1984-1985, where no Igbo was accommodated. He also mentioned how Ndigbo denied Buhari votes in several elections, including in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2014.
The lawyer emphasized that Ndigbo have developed a more civilised form of protest, known as the "Sit at Home" model, which has been observed for over nine years. He appealed to the rest of Nigeria to adopt this model, describing it as excellent and effective if properly organized and executed.
Onyeagucha expressed support for the nationwide protests against hunger and bad government, noting that Ndigbo have been involved in protests against bad government longer than any other ethnic group in Nigeria. He stated that the sit at home protest on August 1st was a sweet victory for genuine people and leaders of Ndigbo, who were able to deny their detractors the opportunity to harm them.
The lawyer concluded by urging Nigerians to join the protests and adopt the "Sit at home" model as a national model of protest.
