Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the leading socio-cultural organization representing the Igbo people, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a formal apology for the suffering inflicted on the Igbo during the Nigeria-Biafra War.
The group is also demanding ₦10 trillion in reparations to compensate for the loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure in the region.
The demand follows recent remarks by former military ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), who clarified that the January 1966 coup was not an “Igbo coup,” a narrative that has long fueled ethnic tensions and misconceptions.
Ohanaeze commended Babangida’s statement, emphasizing that it corrects a historical distortion that has contributed to the marginalization of the Igbo people.
The organization further condemned what it described as systemic discrimination against the Southeast, citing issues such as political exclusion, economic neglect, the closure of key infrastructures like the Calabar seaport, and the enforcement of the quota system.
“In response to these longstanding injustices, Ohanaeze Ndigbo reaffirms the demands we presented before the 1999 Justice Oputa-led Judicial Commission on Human Rights Violations,” the group stated.
The organization insisted that the federal government must acknowledge and address past wrongs, including the brutal military campaign led by General Yakubu Gowon, which resulted in immense casualties and suffering.
“We call on President Tinubu to offer an unequivocal and public apology on behalf of previous military regimes. The indiscriminate shelling and destruction inflicted on Igbo communities during the war must be acknowledged,” the statement read.
Additionally, Ohanaeze maintained that reparations amounting to ₦10 trillion were necessary as both a symbolic and practical measure to address the lingering effects of the war.
“This is not just about financial compensation—it is about recognizing the value of the lives lost and the devastation that the Igbo nation has endured. Even after 55 years, the scars of the conflict remain visible,” the group added.
While expressing willingness to forgive Babangida and others for past grievances, Ohanaeze urged President Tinubu to take proactive steps toward reconciliation by ensuring that both an apology and compensation are granted. The group emphasized that these actions are crucial for fostering national unity and rebuilding trust among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups.