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The Governors of the South East states yesterday expressed worry over the shooting incident that occurred on Sunday near the residence of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra [IPOB] in Umuahia which reportedly left some persons injured.
The governors regretted that the incident was coming at a time they were making concerted efforts to broker peace between federal authorities and the members of the Biafra agitators.
Speaking to Reporters yesterday in Abakaliki, the Director of Information, South East Governors Forum Secretariats, Chief Mike Udah, said that the incident in Umuahia by suspected military men has punctured the peace moves initiated by the governors.
“The South East 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 South East 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 South East and the federal government.
“The South East 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 possible best 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. South East 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 which occurred as soldiers were on a routine show of force drill round the town describing it as a brazen show of military brigandage and shear prostitution of power without authority.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the apex pro Igbo group, Prince Uche Achi-Okpaga the group said it was baffled that soldiers are unleashed on a person that is peaceful and devoid of violence, while the gun trotting herdsmen are still on a rampage in virtually every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
“It is a pity that the tenets of democracy are been bruised and battered with reckless impunity in Nigeria”, he added.
The group further condemned the operation python dance II announced by the army describing it as a deliberate ploy to gag the South East like a conquered territory.
According to him the recent actions of the federal government have cleared all doubts about the disposition and countenance of the APC led federal Government towards the Igbos.
“The recent NNPC appointments strongly testify to our vindications and these consequential events dramatises them beyond doubt”.
“Today, Boko Haram is still killing and herdsmen are pulverising villages but it is in the South East that is even peaceful that soldiers are deployed at close and strategic points.
” I think we have over-flogged 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 course”, he added.
