Moghalu calls on Buhari to dialogue with Igboho and Kanu in a bid to end secessionist agitation

FORMER Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deputy governor Professor Kingsley Moghalu has called on the federal government to enter into dialogue with Sunday Igboho and Nnamdi Kanu to get them to drop their agitations for independent Oduduwa and Biafra Republics.

Yesterday, Professor Moghalu launched his 2023 presidential election campaign, saying that he would pit security and restoring peace to Nigeria at the centre of his programme. Since 2015 when President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office, Nigeria has been engulfed by endless ethnic spats, straining the fabric of the nation to breaking point.

At the centre of everything is the failure of President Buhari's administration to clamp down on armed Fulani cattle herdsmen who have launched a bloody campaign against rural farmers across the country. This has fuelled calls for secession with Mr Igboho leading calls for the creation of an Oduduwa nation, while Mr Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra has stepped up his calls for the balkanisation of Nigeria.

Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show Sunrise Daily this morning, Professor Moghalu said both agitators feel marginalised and are only seeking justice. He decried the proscription of Ipob saying it is not a terrorist group but added that it is agitating in a wrong way.

Professor Moghalu said: “I think that the government should be able to invite, whether it is Ipob or Sunday Igboho, all the secessionists, to the table. They are essentially political agitators. You can call them terrorists, that is your own prerogative but we know what terrorism means in reality.

 "Boko Haram are terrorists, we know that. When people begin political agitations and we very easily throw terrorism at them just because they are mouthing off and speaking in a language that nobody likes or insulting their fellow citizens, that is their way of handling this type of thing.

 “Can we address the agitations? Don’t be afraid to address the core reasons behind the agitation because they are crying out for justice. They feel marginalised. What is wrong with addressing those issues?”