South-East leaders reject IPOB, other separatist groups

THE South-East governors and other stakeholders in the region have disowned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other separatist groups in the region.

In a communiqué issued yesterday at the end of their meeting in Enugu and signed by the Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum, Dave Umahi, the leaders said the separatist groups do not speak for the people of the zone.

The meeting was a follow up to an earlier consultation with a presidential delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), on the worsening insecurity in the zone.

The leaders condemned the attacks on Federal Government’s facilities in the region but also urged the security agents to desist from killing Igbo youths, and respect their rights.

They, however, assured Nigerians living in the South-East of their safety in the region.

The leaders also charged governors of states in the Northern part of the country to protect the Igbos in their region.

The communiqué read: “We the Igbos do reaffirm our commitment to one United Nigeria under a platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness, love, and respect for one another.

“We plead with leaders of other regions to please note the threats to our people and to please address the threats to our people and to protect them.

“We condemn the killing of security agents, the burning of strategic infrastructures, and killing of civilians in South-East and even in other regions. We request our security agencies to please discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law.”

The meeting was attended by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) while Imo and Anambra States were represented by their Deputy Governors, Prof. Placid Njoku; and Nkem Okeke respectively.

Also at the meeting were the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor; and his predecessor, Chief Nnia Nwodo. Others were Minister of State for Steel and Mining, Dr. Uche Oga; Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, among others.