The World Igbo Youth Council (WIYC) has announced plans to stage nationwide peaceful protests, demanding an official apology and $10 trillion in reparations for the Igbo people over the 1966 coup and the Nigeria-Biafra War.
The protests, scheduled to begin on March 17, 2025, will take place across major cities in the South-East, Abuja, and Lagos. The group’s demands come in response to recent revelations in a book by former Military Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), who stated that the 1966 coup was not an Igbo-led coup.
Here’s a breakdown of the WIYC’s demands and the historical context driving their actions.
The 1966 Coup and Its Aftermath
The 1966 coup, often referred to as the “Igbo coup,” has long been a contentious issue in Nigeria’s history. However, Babangida’s recent book challenges this narrative, asserting that the coup was not orchestrated by the Igbo.
The WIYC, in a statement issued by its President General, Princess Eberechukwu Dickson, emphasized that the Igbo people have suffered immensely since the coup, culminating in the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967-1970), which claimed approximately 3.8 million lives.
Key Demands
The WIYC’s demands include:
An Official Apology: The group is calling on President Bola Tinubu to issue an unreserved apology to the Igbo nation for the historical injustices suffered.
$10 Trillion Reparations: The WIYC is seeking financial restitution to address the economic and social disenfranchisement faced by the Igbo people.
Implementation of ECOWAS Verdict: The group demands full compliance with the 2017 ECOWAS ruling, which mandated reparations for victims of the Nigeria-Biafra War.
Planned Protests
Beginning on March 17, 2025, the WIYC will organize peaceful protests in cities across the South-East, Abuja, and Lagos.
“These demonstrations will serve as a powerful reminder of our collective voice and our unwavering demand for justice,” the statement read.
The protests aim to pressure the Federal Government to acknowledge the historical injustices faced by the Igbo people and take concrete steps toward reconciliation.
Economic and Political Grievances
The WIYC highlighted several ongoing issues affecting the Igbo people, including:
The permanent closure of the Calabar Seaport, which has forced reliance on Lagos ports and undermined the economic viability of the Southeast.
Systemic political inequality, including barriers preventing Igbo candidates from aspiring to the presidency due to an inequitable quota system.
The deliberate reduction of the Southeast to five states, which the group claims is a systematic effort to diminish the region’s socio-political stature.
A Call for Justice and Reconciliation
The WIYC’s statement concluded with a powerful call for justice:
“The path to true reconciliation is paved with honesty, acknowledgment, and justice, and it is a path we demand the Federal Government to undertake.”
The group vowed to remain steadfast in its pursuit of justice, recognition, and reparations for the Igbo people.
Why This Matters
The WIYC’s demands and planned protests underscore the lingering scars of the Nigeria-Biafra War and the need for meaningful reconciliation. By addressing these historical injustices, Nigeria can take a significant step toward healing and unity.
As the protests approach, all eyes will be on the Federal Government’s response and whether it will heed the call for justice and reparations.
