…Say Igbos okay Nigeria’s unity in diversity
…Secessionist promoters can’t speak for us
Apparently warning those calling for the break-up of Nigeria, the South – East Governors’ Forum has faulted the activities of “violent secessionist groups” in the geo-political zone and other parts of the country.
Rising from their meeting in Enugu on Saturday, the South East Governors insisted on Nigeria’s unity in diversity, saying that the Igbos would support peaceful co-existence Nigerians in any part of the country.
In a communique made available on Saturday after its meeting in Enugu, the forum affirmed its commitment to a united Nigeria.
The forum added that the impression that south-east leaders are silent about the agitations for secession is incorrect.
The South-East governors further urged lawmakers from the South East extraction in the National Assembly to support the creation of state police.
The communique reads in part, “We, the Igbo, do reaffirm our commitment 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 other regions. “We request our security agencies to please discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law.
“We request our lawmakers from the South-East in the National Assembly to support state police creation in the ongoing constitution amendment.
“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 leaders 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 have set up a committee to engage such youths to stop and allow elders speak to address such fears.”
On the safety on individuals in the region, the statement added that the governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo have been directed to liaise with indigenes from the north and other regions to assure them of their safety in south-east.
The forum further disclosed that, “The meeting endorsed our South-East joint security outfit, Ebube Agu, and asked them to work with security agencies and to respect the rights and privileges of all those living in south-east and our visitors.”
TheIdeal recalls that certain unknown gunmen have launched series of attacks on police stations, INEC offices and government buildings in the South-East while some security operatives were killed.
Incidentally, the Nigeria Police and the Nigerian Army have blamed the attacks on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the mayhem.
