The Abuja branch of Otu Oka-Iwu, the umbrella body of Igbo lawyers, has called for sweeping constitutional reforms and a more equitable approach to governance, warning that Nigeria’s deepening insecurity and institutional erosion demand urgent attention. Central to their demands is the amendment of Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to allow the creation of state police—a move the group insists is long overdue.
At a press conference held in Abuja, the association urged governors of the South-East to unite and speak with one voice on issues of security and development, stressing that the welfare of Ndi Igbo must rise above party lines and political differences.
In a statement signed by its president, Sir Chidi Udekwe, the group expressed concern over the centralised control of security without sufficient funding or manpower. According to the group, this approach has failed to address region-specific crises, from banditry in the North-West and insurgency in the North-East, to the growing cases of herders’ attacks and kidnapping in the South-East.
The lawyers also weighed in on the ongoing trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing it as a pivotal test of Nigeria’s judiciary. They warned against turning the case into a political spectacle or allowing it to descend into a cycle of indefinite detention without conviction. While noting that the Court of Appeal discharged Kanu of all charges in October 2022, the group condemned the Federal Government’s decision to refile the case, calling for strict adherence to due process and constitutional safeguards.
Otu Oka-Iwu emphasized that Kanu’s trial must be handled with fairness and legal integrity. The association called on the judiciary to rise above political pressure and uphold Section 36 of the Constitution, which guarantees fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.
Turning to matters of development, the group commended the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), describing it as a significant step toward addressing long-standing socio-economic and infrastructure deficits in the region. However, they expressed concern that the commission has yet to receive equitable funding or the institutional support enjoyed by similar bodies in other regions.
The association argued that despite the South-East’s economic contributions and its role in national development, the region continues to suffer from chronic underinvestment, particularly in infrastructure such as road construction. They highlighted the persistent neglect of the post-war reconstruction gap and called for the SEDC to be fully operationalised and funded.
Otu Oka-Iwu urged the Federal Government, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Assembly to take concrete steps to secure the commission’s future. They advocated for the formal gazetting of statutory funding, the inclusion of the SEDC in national budgetary allocations, and its integration into capital project planning by federal ministries, departments, and agencies.
The group concluded by asserting that the South-East deserves more than token gestures. For them, a fully funded and functional SEDC is not a political favour, but a constitutional obligation—a moral necessity to ensure justice, reconciliation, and lasting national unity.
