Chukwuma Soludo has called for a more structured, intellectual and evidence-based engagement on what he described as the “Igbo question” in Nigeria, urging stakeholders to move beyond agitation and embrace constructive national dialogue on the place of the Igbo people within the Nigerian federation.
Soludo made the call on Saturday in Awka after attending a stage production titled The Tale of Two Nnamdis, written by Tobe Osigwe and directed by Prof. Uche Nwaozuzu, performed by students of the Department of Theatre Arts and Film Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Speaking after the performance at the Light House in Awka, the governor expressed concern over the lack of consistent academic and policy-driven discussions on issues affecting Ndigbo, especially in relation to long-standing Biafra-related agitations nearly six decades after the civil war.
He commended the students for initiating what he described as a timely and important conversation that has largely been missing in both political and academic spaces.
Recalling history, Soludo noted that the Biafran war was declared at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and said it was encouraging that younger generations were beginning to revisit the subject through intellectual expression.
“I saw the war very clearly. I am a Pan-Africanist and a proud Nigerian. Ndigbo need Nigeria and Nigeria needs Ndigbo. Our progress will be faster if we operate within a larger national space,” he said.
The governor also criticised forms of agitation that, according to him, end up harming the very people they are meant to protect, referencing the prolonged sit-at-home orders in the South-East.
While acknowledging differing perspectives within the region, he emphasised his preference for dialogue, negotiation and democratic engagement, citing the political philosophy of Nigeria’s first President, Nnamdi Azikiwe.
He noted that Azikiwe demonstrated the importance of political bargaining and engagement within a plural society.
Soludo further challenged the Igbo political class to address what he called a contradiction between demanding greater participation in national leadership and questioning the legitimacy of the Nigerian state.
He asked how meaningful governance could be achieved without a clear and unified political stance from the people involved.
The governor reaffirmed his readiness to participate in a structured national conversation on the issue and expressed willingness to engage different groups, including factions linked to the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
He stressed that open dialogue, tolerance of differing opinions and intellectual engagement were essential to resolving longstanding political questions, adding that no group could impose its position without meaningful conversation.