The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has expressed concerns over the proposed US military action in Nigeria, stating that it would be counterproductive in addressing the country’s longstanding issues. The council’s National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, emphasized that the Igbo people appreciate the US concern over the killings of Christians in Nigeria, particularly in Eastern Nigeria and the Middle Belt. However, the group advocates for a different approach, suggesting that military action should be used to facilitate an urgent referendum in Nigeria rather than being based on religious purposes.
According to the council, a referendum is the most pressing requirement for Nigeria, and it is the only factor that can resonate with the conscience of an Igbo individual or Christian in the country. The group cited statistics from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law, which reveal that over 125,000 Christians have been killed in Nigeria from 2009 to May 2023. The council also referenced a report from the National Bureau of Statistics, which shows that insecurity led to the killing of 614,373 Nigerians from May 2023 to April 2024.
The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has called on US President Donald Trump to consider facilitating an end to Christian genocide by supporting Nigerian Christians in conducting a referendum within one year. The group emphasized that Christian killings in Nigeria are driven by economic interests, territorial ambitions, ethnic cleansing, and political oligarchy systems. The council urged President Trump to wield his authority as a Christian to deliver Christians in Africa, especially in Nigeria, from persecution.
The group also drew attention to the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a self-determination group, who has been detained for four years by two Muslim presidents. The council emphasized that a genuine approach to resolving Nigeria’s problems and the threats faced by Christians necessitates an immediate national referendum. Otherwise, the killings of Igbos and the massacre of Christians in the Middle Belt may lead to a war based on religion and ethnicity.
In summary, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council has rejected US military action in Nigeria for religious purposes and instead advocates for a referendum to address the country’s longstanding issues. The group has called on President Trump to support Nigerian Christians in conducting a referendum and to use his authority to deliver Christians from persecution. The situation in Nigeria remains critical, with ongoing killings and insecurity, and the council’s appeal for a referendum is seen as a crucial step towards finding a lasting solution.