Governors of South East, Igbo political and religious leaders have vowed to ensure that the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB’s suspended sit-at-home order will no longer be observed in the region and that people move about freely.
The leaders also said that they will engage the federal government for amicable settlement of all issues agitating the minds of Ndigbo, particularly their youths.
They further resolved that the South East regional security outfit, EbubeAgu, will be launched in all states if the zone passes enabling laws before the end of the year.
The leaders spoke at the time a Department of State Service, DSS, operative was shot dead in Imo and the Nigerian Army launched operation ‘Golden Dawn’ in the South East.
The Igbo leaders made the resolutions in a meeting of South East Governors, South East leaders, traditional rulers, National Assembly members and the clergy in Enugu, yesterday.
However, neither Governor Willy Obiano of Anambra State, nor his deputy, Nkem Okeke, was present at the security meeting despite the commotion in the state.
Anambra State has in the recent time been consistently unrepresented in official meetings such as Southern Governors’ meeting, South East Governors Forum among other strategic meetings.
Bianca Ojukwu had in a message she made public on Monday, pleaded with Governor Obiano to attend Tuesday’s meeting, but the Anambra Governor failed to be present.
Surprisingly, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State who had for sometime maintained absence was at the meeting, together with Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State who were absent at the last Southern Governors meeting in Enugu were both in attendance.
Governor Umahi who read the communique said that they condemned the killings in the South East and have agreed to 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 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 south east and that people are allowed to freely move about in the zone.
“The meeting received report on various matters affecting the southeast, 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.
“The meeting resolved to support election in Anambra State and directed security agencies to ensure a peaceful election in Anambra State come November 6 2021.”
The meeting mandated the clergy, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and traditional rulers to continue to dialogue with Igbo youths.
Among those who were present at the meeting are: Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State (Host); Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State; their Imo State counterpart, Senator Hope Uzodimma; and Abia State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu.
National Assembly members from the South East geo-political zone, former Governors, former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), Chief Nnia Nwodo, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, Bishop Godfrey Onah, other religious leaders and traditional institutions from the zone including leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo were at the meeting.
The meeting observed a minute silence for all those who have lost their lives to the security challenges in the country especially in the South East zone.
