Enugu, Nigeria – June 9, 2025 — As Nigeria prepares to commemorate Democracy Day on June 12, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use the occasion to promote national unity and healing by granting amnesty to 1,335 repentant, nonviolent pro-Biafra agitators.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group described the appeal as a critical step toward fostering peace, reconciliation, and stability in the South-East region and the country at large. According to Ohanaeze, the individuals in question have renounced violence, embraced peace, and expressed their willingness to reintegrate into society as law-abiding citizens.
A Symbolic Gesture of Unity
The statement, signed by a senior official of the Ohanaeze leadership, noted that such a gesture by President Tinubu would send a powerful message of inclusivity and genuine commitment to addressing long-standing grievances in the region.
“This is a golden opportunity for Mr. President to demonstrate true statesmanship by extending a hand of forgiveness to these repentant youths. They have shown remorse and have taken significant steps towards rehabilitation. Granting them amnesty on Democracy Day would be a historic act of unity,” the group stated.
Call for Regional Development and Dialogue
Ohanaeze Ndigbo further urged the Federal Government to complement the amnesty with socio-economic development projects in the South-East, including job creation, youth empowerment initiatives, and infrastructure investment. The group emphasized that such moves would not only consolidate peace but also prevent a resurgence of separatist sentiments.
They also called on President Tinubu to initiate a national dialogue that would include voices from all regions of Nigeria to address issues of marginalization, restructuring, and equity in governance.
A New Chapter
As Nigeria marks its 26th Democracy Day since the return to civilian rule in 1999, Ohanaeze said this year’s celebration should not only honor the nation’s democratic strides but also mark a turning point for national reconciliation.
The call comes amid ongoing concerns about agitations in the South-East and renewed discussions around how best to manage the complexities of Nigeria’s diversity.
While there has been no official response yet from the Presidency, political observers believe the appeal from Ohanaeze Ndigbo may influence discussions around national unity in the days leading to the June 12 celebrations.
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