A coalition of Igbo leaders, civil society actors, and rights stakeholders has issued a strong call for a negotiated resolution to the ongoing confrontation between the federal government and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In a report titled “IPOB, Marginalisation, and the Nigerian State”, the group traced the roots of the conflict to long-standing grievances of the Igbo population including political exclusion, economic marginalisation, and historical injustices since the end of the Nigerian Civil War.
They argue that IPOB’s activism, though controversial, stems from genuine frustration with systemic neglect. While recognizing IPOB’s declared commitment to nonviolence, the stakeholders strongly criticize the government’s reliance on military force and heavy-handed tactics, which they say exacerbate tensions and risk further alienation. Security crackdowns, they assert, have often resulted in human rights violations without addressing the underlying issues of governance and inclusion.
The coalition is calling for a comprehensive peace process: one that includes legal reforms, political participation, truth-telling mechanisms, and reconciliation measures. They emphasize the urgency of this approach not only for national unity but for long-term stability in the Southeast region.
