A faction of the apex Igbo socio-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, said that the Igbo will not join in the proposed nationwide protests from August 1 to 10, 2024, against President Bola Tinubu to express their frustrations over the harsh economic conditions, rising prices of essential commodities and petroleum products.
  
In a statement in Abakaliki, the Secretary General of the Chidi Ibeh-led faction of the organisation, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said that Igbo will not be used again, pointing out that Igbo and the entire South East have been used as sacrificial lambs in previous riots.
  
He stressed that what is important to the region is the release of Nnamdi Kanu, not participating in protests. Isiguzoro added that Ohanaeze will fully support the South East governors to ensure that adequate security measures are in place during the protest period, urging Igbo in the region to continue with their daily businesses during the period.
  
The statement reads: “As Nigerians prepare for a nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu to express their frustrations over the harsh economic conditions and rising prices of essential commodities and petroleum products, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, has taken a firm stance on the upcoming protests scheduled for August 1 to10, 2024.”    
  
“Drawing from the painful history of past riots and protests in Nigeria, such as the April 17, 1978 Ali Must Go protests, the May 24, 1989 Anti-SAP Riots, the 1993 June 12 protests, the January 2 to 14, 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, and the October 20, 2020, EndSARS protests, which resulted in immense losses of Igbo lives and property, Ohanaeze highlights the fact that Igbo have often been used as sacrificial lambs in the course of these protests.” 
  
The group, therefore, said it has directed Igbo across the country and in the Diaspora to refrain from participating in the protests in the interest of their lives and property.