…Appeal to FG to withdraw soldiers from SE
Hours after the Nigerian Army has branded the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a terrorist organization, the South-East Governors’Forum has proscribed the activities of the group with immediate effect.
The Ebonyi State Governor and Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum, Chief Dave Nweze Umahi who read the communiqué at the end of the emergency meeting held at the EXCO Chambers, Government House, Enugu, Enugu State on Friday, advised “IPOB and other aggrieved groups in the region to articulate their position on all national issue and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South -East, through their Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum”.
Umahi stated that all Governors of South-East zone were to ensure compliance in their respective states.
According to him,”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 amicable 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 the President and Commander in -Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to please withdraw the military in the South-East zone, whole the police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order”.
He disclosed that the South-East Governors had taken concrete steps to protect lives and properties of indigenes and non indigenes of the south -east.
Gov. Umahi pointed out that they were in touch with the Northern Governors’ Forum adding that the Northern Governors’ Forum had assured them of the Igbos living in the northern part of the country even as he said that they had planned to exchange visit between the Governors as well as to reinforce the confidence of Nigerians in this regard.
He continued,”In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation in ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the south-east zone within this period. The Governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable”.
He therefore advised all residents of south-east to go about their lawful businesses as government of each state was committed to protecting everybody even as he advised the people of the south-east to be law abiding.
Present at the meeting were; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, Willie Obiano, Anambra, Dave Umahi, Ebonyi , Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, while the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Eze Madumere represented Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.
Send your news, press releases/articles to augustinenwadinamuo@yahoo.com. Also, follow us on Twitter @reportersinfo and on Facebook on facebook.com/primetimereporters or call the editor on 07030661526, 08053908817.
