Governors of the Southeast states yesterday expressed worry over Sunday’s shooting near the residence of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu in Umuahia.
The governors expressed regret that the incident came at a time they were making concerted efforts to broker peace between federal authorities and the Biafra agitators.
Director of Information of the Southeast Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Mike Udah, said the incident had punctured the peace moves initiated by the governors.
“The Southeast governors are worried that the relationship between the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the government is degenerating into this kind of ugly situation.
“They did not want this kind of situation to occur and that was why they invited the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, with Prof. Ben Nwabueze to their meeting in Enugu. So, they are working to ensure that such situation does not reoccur.
“The Southeast governors do not want a situation where the South East would be seen as working against the Federal Government. They don’t want a situation where there would be a breakdown of law and order. They don’t want a situation where it will appear that there is a strained relationship between the people of Southeast and the Federal Government.
“The Southeast governors want peace and amicable resolution of whatever is the problem between the two parties. That was why they invited the IPOB leader, Kanu and Prof. Ben Nwabueze the other time to their meeting in Enugu.”
The governors, however, appealed to the Federal Government to handle the situation in a mature way. They disclosed that they would continue to do their best possible to ensure that the situation does not worsen.
“They will continue to meet with other pro-Biafra and Igbo groups with a view to ensuring that there is peace in the land. Southeast governors are worried that the ugly situation that took place in Abia State could re-occur,” he added.
Also yesterday, the Ohaneze Ndigbo condemned the alleged violent altercation.
In a statement by Publicity Secretary Uche Achi-Okpaga, the group said: “It is a pity that the tenets of democracy are being bruised and battered with reckless impunity in Nigeria.”
The group also condemned the “operation Python Dance II” announced by the army describing it as a deliberate ploy to gag the Southeast like a conquered territory.
According to the statement, the recent actions of the Federal Government have cleared all doubts about the disposition and countenance of the APC-led federal Government towards the Igbo.
“The recent NNPC appointments strongly testify to our vindications and these consequential events dramatise them beyond doubt.
“Today,Boko Haram is still killing and herdsmen are pulverising villages but it is in the Southeast that is even peaceful that soldiers are deployed at close and strategic points.
“I think we have overflogged these issues because this is a government that, among other, has been treating ear problem and is not disposed to hear your complaints. We just have a choreographic democracy. May God hear and fight our cause”, he added.
