BY RAPHAEL ONYEKACHUKWU, ENUGU – South-east Governors’ Forum on Friday proscribed the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in all States within the zone.
Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman of the Forum, Dave Umahi announced the decision at a meeting of the Governors, South-east leadership of the National Assembly, and Ohaneze Ndigbo held at the Executive Chambers of Enugu State Government House.
According the governors, “in view of the prevailing security situation in the South East and its attendant consequences, the South-east Governors hereby resolve as follows:
“All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all National issues and submit to the committee of governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from South East zone, through the Chairman, South-east Governors forum.
“All Governors of South-east zone are to ensure compliance in their states.
“South-east Governors forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
“We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.
“We reiterate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra State must hold.
“Accordingly, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammad Buhari to please withdraw the military in the zone while, police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.”
The Governors said aside from taking concrete steps to protect lives and property of non-indigenes in the South-east, the Forum is also in touch with their counterpart governors in the north who assured them of the safety of Ndigbo in the north.
“We wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is on-going on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South East zone within this period”, as appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.
The governors therefore advised all residents of the South East to go about their normal business as government of each state is committed to protecting everybody.
