Govs, Igbo Leaders Vow No More Sit-at-Home Order In South-East

• Gov Obiano conspicuously absent at meeting

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Despite assurances from political and religious leaders to stop the now frequent sit-at-home orders by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), there is still apprehension among residents of the South-East geo-political zone that only concrete measures can bring such promise to fruition.

With tension always mounting following repeated directives by secessionist movements, the consensus among most residents is that Governors, Igbo political and religious leaders need the political will to deliver on their recent pledge of reining in hoodlums and other criminal elements that are making lives unbearable within the region.

The Igbo leaders had, in vowing to stop IPOB and other self-serving organisations on their dangerous track of frequently disrupting official and commercial activities in the zone, assured that henceforth the people and residents of the zone will not face any challenge moving around and going about their daily business freely.

Rising from a meeting of the South-East Governors, leaders, traditional rulers, National Assembly members, and the clergies in Enugu on Tuesday, the leaders also promised to fruitfully engage the Federal Government for amicable settlement of all issues agitating the minds of Ndigbo, particularly the youths.

Part of the meeting’s resolutions is the planned official launch of the South East regional security outfit, EbubeAgu, in all states within the zone with the passage of enabling laws before the year-end.

However, conspicuously missing at the security meeting was Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State and there was no representation from the state despite the current security breaches and rising criminal activities in the state.

Reading the communique, Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum, David Umahi, said the meeting condemned ongoing killings in the zone and will join hands with security agencies to stop the killings.

According to him: “The meeting condemned the sit-at-home order, which is mostly issued by our people in the diaspora who do not feel the pains. In view of the information that even IPOB cancelled the sit-at-home, the meeting resolved that governors and all people in the southeast do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further sit-at-home in the Southeast and that people are allowed to freely move about in the zone.

“The meeting received reports on various matters affecting the South-East, especially on the issue of security and marginalisation of the South-East people, and resolved to study the reports for immediate implementation and engagement with the federal government for amicable settlement of all issues agitating the minds of our people, especially the youths.”

In resolving to support the November 6 election in Anambra State, the meeting charged security agencies to ensure a peaceful election in the State, even as it mandated the clergies, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and traditional rulers to continue dialogue and engagement with Igbo youths.

On the list of those in attendance at the meeting include Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (Host); Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma; and Deputy Governor of Abia State, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.

Also featuring were National Assembly members from the geo-political zone, former Governors, former Chief of Army Staff (CAOS), Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), Chief Nnia Nwodo, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Bishop Godfrey Onah, and other prominent religious leaders, as well as traditional institutions, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

A minute silence was observed for all those who have lost their lives due to insecurity and criminal activities in the South-East zone.