The World Igbo Congress (WIC) has warned political actors in Nigeria against threatening or intimidating Igbo people over their political affiliations, saying it will no longer tolerate actions that endanger the lives and property of members of the Igbo community.
The Vice Chairman of the organization, Mazi Basil Onwukwe, issued the warning during an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica. He stressed that although the WIC is a non-partisan organization, it remains committed to protecting Igbo interests across Nigeria.
Onwukwe said the organization was aware of developments in Nigerian politics and would not remain silent when political disagreements threatened the safety of Igbo people.
According to him, the WIC’s decision to maintain political neutrality should not be interpreted as indifference to threats against Igbo people participating in the country’s political process.
“Because we kept quiet when a particular state governor was threatening Peter Obi not to come to his state does not mean we don’t see what is going on,” Onwukwe said.
He added that being non-partisan did not mean the organization would allow anyone to threaten the lives of Igbo people exercising their constitutional and legitimate rights to participate in politics.
“There should not be any threat to any Igbo person in Nigeria anymore. World Igbo Congress wouldn’t tolerate such actions anymore,” he warned.
Onwukwe called on politicians and their supporters to engage in political activities without bitterness, arguing that political differences should not degenerate into threats or violence.
“Everyone should engage in their politics without bitterness. Once the politics of anyone or a group becomes a threat to the life of any Igbo person, then they should be ready to contend with us,” he stated.
The WIC Vice Chairman, who discussed the organization’s upcoming convention in Austin, Texas, further assured that the organization was prepared to take steps to defend the lives and property of Igbo people wherever they might be in the country.
“We can assure everyone that we are prepared to go to any length to defend the life and properties of any Igbo person in Nigeria,” he said.
Onwukwe also highlighted the extensive movement of Igbo people across the globe, noting that the community receives broad support through the WIC and its affiliated organizations.
“Igbo people are the most traveled of any group in Nigeria,” he said, explaining that the WIC works with affiliate groups to assist Igbo people living and doing business in different parts of the world.
He said the organization had established a strong support network capable of assisting Igbo people, regardless of their location.
Beyond political intimidation, Onwukwe disclosed that the organization is working hard to establish an Igbo Credit Union in the United States and a Biafra Cenotaph and Monumental Park proposed at last year’s convention in Worcester, Massachusetts. These are two of the many initiatives the organization kicked off last year and will advance the implementation at their convention this weekend.
His comments come against the backdrop of heightened political tensions surrounding the activities and political support base of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, whose political activities have continued to attract significant attention ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While reaffirming WIC’s non-partisan position, Onwukwe’s remarks indicate that the organization intends to take a more assertive stance when it believes the safety, rights, or property of Igbo people are threatened because of their political participation.
The organization’s position is that political differences should remain within the bounds of democratic engagement and that no Nigerian, regardless of ethnic identity or political affiliation, should be subjected to threats or intimidation for exercising legitimate political rights.
