ICYMI : South - East Governors Denounce IPOB, MASSOB Over Secession

                 •South -East governors

By Godwin Akomah 

Governors of South - East region of Nigeria have distanced themselves and the generality of Ndigbo from the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other secessionist groups operating in Igboland or elsewhere, saying IPOB and their allies do not represent them.

Speaking under the aegis of South East Governors’ Forum, they declared that the IPOB and its members  or the Movement for Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra(MASSOB) do not speak for Ndigbo 

 and the entire region on the call for separation from Nigeria. 

The governors made their stand known at a meeting in Enugu State on Saturday. 

Chairman of the forum, David Umahi, who stated this position while addressing reporters shortly after the meeting, also declared their believe in and commitment to one Nigeria.

Umahi also corrected the impression that South-East leaders were silent over some of the region's youths’ agitations for secession.

He explained that the South-East Governors, Ohanaeze President, National Assembly members and notable leaders had come out publicly many times in the past to lend their voices against such agitations.

Governor Umahi said: "We, the Igbos do reaffirm our commitement to one united Nigeria under a platform of justice, equality of rights , fairness, love and respect for one another.

"We have noted threats by some groups against our people of South East, while we firmly promise to protect everyone either from other regions or ours, we plead with the leaders of other  regions to protect our people living in their regions.

"We condemn the killing of security agencies, burning of strategic infrastructure and killing of civilians in South East and in other regions. We request our security agencies to please discharge within the rules of engagement and the law.

"We condemn in totality , the activities of violent secessionist groups in South East and elsewhere, we firmly proclaim that we do not support them, they do not speak for South East. The impression that South East leaders are silent over some of our youths, agitators for secession is not correct. South East Governors, Ohaneze President, National Assembly members, notable leader had come out  publicly many times in the past to speak against such agitations. In order not to mismanage the unfortunate situation, South East leaders set up a committee to engage such youths."