The lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has rejected the classification of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, as a terrorist organization, insisting that the group should not be placed in the same category as violent armed groups operating in other parts of the country.
Aguocha made the assertion while speaking with journalists at his country home, where he addressed issues surrounding the agitation in the Southeast and the continued detention of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, the insecurity realities in parts of the North differ significantly from what obtains in the Southeast, arguing that while the region may have isolated incidents of crime and violence, it has not witnessed the kind of widespread displacement and prolonged destruction associated with terrorism in other parts of Nigeria.
He maintained that the real challenge in the Southeast lies in long-standing grievances over exclusion, inequality and the perceived neglect of the region in federal appointments, projects and opportunities.
Aguocha said the Federal Government must look beyond force and begin to address the underlying concerns fueling agitation in the region, especially demands for fairness, inclusion and equal treatment of Ndigbo within the Nigerian federation.
He stressed that many Igbos see the Biafra question not only as a political issue but also as a reflection of the desire for economic rebirth, regional development and a stronger sense of belonging in Nigeria.
The federal lawmaker warned that continued failure to respond meaningfully to these concerns could deepen frustration in the Southeast, insisting that dialogue and justice remain the most sustainable path to peace.
