A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has alleged that the ongoing violence in the South-East region is being orchestrated by Igbos themselves, not Fulani herdsmen as widely claimed.
Igbokwe, who hails from Anambra State and is known for his outspoken views on issues affecting the South-East, made the remarks in a post on his official Facebook page on Thursday.
According to him, the persistent narrative blaming Fulani herdsmen for the killings and destruction in the region is misleading and false.
“The blatant and pathological lies about the killings and destruction in the South-East can no longer stand,” he wrote.
“It is Igbo killing Igbo.
It is Igbo destroying Igboland and putting the blame on Hausa/Fulani herdsmen. This is not our culture. This is sad.”
Igbokwe has consistently condemned what he describes as self-inflicted violence in the South-East and has called for introspection and honesty in addressing the region’s challenges.
In a related statement posted earlier on Wednesday, the APC stalwart also expressed concern over what he termed the alarming rise of ethnic bigotry across Nigeria.
He warned that the nation is gradually descending into dangerous levels of tribal intolerance.
“Ethnic bigotry is growing hopelessly like wildfire in Nigeria, and our eyes are not open to see the danger,” he wrote.
“I pray that the veil covering our eyes will be removed so that we can see clearly. Make we de play ooo.”
His comments come amid renewed debate over the root causes of insecurity in the South-East, where attacks on government facilities, security personnel, and civilians have continued to fuel public anxiety.