Jackson Ude, a veteran Nigerian journalist residing in the United States and former Director of Strategy and Communications to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its apparent inaction regarding the killings of innocent Igbo people in the South East.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Ude condemned the enforcement of the sit-at-home policy by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), labeling it counterproductive.
He stated, “The ongoing killings of Igbos by fellow Igbos under the pretense of enforcing a ‘sit-at-home’ order for a Biafra State is highly irresponsible and must be condemned. Patriotic and well-meaning Igbos must collectively denounce the senseless killing of our people in the South East.
“Our people are merely striving for daily survival amidst widespread poverty and hunger. How does it make sense to deprive those you claim to protect of their livelihoods through a sit-at-home order, then kill them, all while claiming to shield them from ‘Fulanis’ or a ‘terrorist government?’”
Ude urged Biafra agitators to adopt a political approach rather than resorting to violence. He proposed creating a political platform to elect representatives in South Eastern state assemblies who could advocate for a referendum on Biafra.
He added, “The notion of achieving a Biafra State through sit-at-home orders and the continuous killing of our people is not only immature but criminal. It’s shameful that the Federal Government has allowed citizens in the South East to be denied their freedoms and killed without adequate intervention. This negligence is dangerous and irresponsible.”
Ude also criticized the silence of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, regarding the killings. He stressed that the bloodshed must stop, calling for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu as a potential step to end the enforcement of sit-at-home orders.
“If this continues, another insurgent group may emerge to protect people from sit-at-home enforcers, risking severe chaos in the region. Igbos have suffered enough!” he warned.