The Igbo Leaders of Thought has endorsed proposals to restructure Nigeria into autonomous regions with greater control over resources, security and internal affairs.
The group, comprising intellectuals, traditional leaders and other stakeholders from the South-East, announced its position after a meeting in Enugu.
ILT said it believed a regional federation could encourage stronger competition, accountability and development among Nigeria’s constituent parts.
The organization’s position followed a recent national dialogue at which a model of autonomous ethno-linguistic regions was discussed.
ILT said any restructuring arrangement must preserve what it regards as historically Igbo territory and avoid further fragmentation of communities.
The group argued that regional autonomy had contributed to stronger development competition during Nigeria’s First Republic.
It also cited historical economic claims about the performance of Eastern Nigeria during that period.
Some of those historical comparisons would require independent verification before being treated as settled economic fact.
Beyond restructuring, ILT called for the 2027 general election to meet high standards of credibility, transparency and fairness.
The group expressed concern about statements by political actors that it interpreted as suggesting predetermined outcomes.
It said election results should be transmitted properly and urged electoral institutions to ensure public confidence in the process.
ILT also criticized the continuation of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket by the ruling party.
The group alleged that such a ticket reflected an Islamization agenda.
That is a political and religious allegation by ILT and was not supported by independent evidence in the supplied material.
The organization also renewed its call for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu.
It described Kanu as a prisoner of conscience and argued that his continued detention reflected broader grievances about the treatment of Igbo people.
The Federal Government has consistently treated Kanu’s matter as a legal and security issue subject to court processes.
ILT said its broader objective remained a restructured Nigeria capable of stronger national integration rather than disintegration.
