Igbo leaders under the umbrella of Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) have called for the creation of a united Igbo Region incorporating parts of six states outside the South-East, while demanding the temporary suspension of the 2027 general elections until Nigeria’s restructuring is completed.
The group made the demands while rejecting the communiqué from the August 20, 2026 Abuja restructuring conference.
In a statement titled ‘Igbo Position on the Restructuring of Nigeria,’ the leaders proposed a region comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, prospective Anioma, Rivers State, and Igbo communities in parts of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Edo and Kogi states.
They argued that Nigeria’s problems are foundational and linked them to the non-consensual nature of the 1914 amalgamation.
“By 2014 many had come to the understanding that the problem is foundational: that the non-consensual nature of the ‘union’ would continue to make it a violent, shaky and largely unproductive experiment,” they said.
On the 2027 elections, the group proposed that restructuring should be concluded before May 2027, with elections temporarily suspended.
“Duration of restructuring exercise should conclude before May 2027, with elections temporarily put on hold by an act of necessity, and resumed on post-restructuring principles,” the statement read.
The ILT also supported “the right to self-determination for Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities, regardless of size” and called for regional or nationwide referendums to determine the country’s future.
The group further demanded the unconditional release and rehabilitation of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and his colleagues, describing it as a “gateway to mutual trust and confidence” in discussions on Nigeria’s future.
It proposed a 10-region structure to replace the current 36 states, LGAs and geopolitical zones, alongside regional resource control and regional police.
On resource control, it stated, “Resource ownership and control reverts to the Regions, which would fund the centre on agreed terms.”
