UPDATED: Southeast Govs Meet In Enugu, Proscribe IPOB; Appeal To Buhari To Order Immediate Military Withdrawal

Southeast Governors meeting in Enugu

South-East Governors Forum on Friday banned all activities of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB in the Southeast geopolitical zone of the country.

This is coming same day after the Defence Headquarters declared IPOB as a “militants terrorist organisation”.

The prescription of the group was announced shortly after the meeting of the governor’s forum held in Enugu state.

Arising from the meeting, the South East Governors said that in view of the prevailing security situation in the South East and its attendant consequences, all activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed.

A communique signed by Chairman, South-East Governors Forum and Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. Nweze Dave Umahi, said IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-East Zone, through their chairman, South-East Governors Forum.

The communique further said all Governors of South-East Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective States.

It read: “South-East Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.

“We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.

“We reiterate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra must hold.

“Accordingly, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammad’s Buhari GCFR to please, withdraw the military in the Southeast zone, while police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.

“South East Governors have taken concrete steps to protect lives and properties of indigenes and non indigenes in the south east.

“We are in touch with the Northern Governors Forum, they have assured us of the safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned to exchange of visits between the Governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect.

“In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South-East Zone within this period. The Governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.

“We advice all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as Government of each state is committed to protecting everybody.

“Finally, we advise our people in the south east to please be law abiding”.

Presence at the meeting was Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu who joined his colleagues in the zone at the enlarge meeting.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi, Chief Willie Obiano, and host Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi were all in attendance.

The Governor of Imo State, Chief Rochas Okorocha, was represented by his deputy, Chief Eze Madumere.

The Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the President of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo also attended.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) commanding the 82 Division of the Nigeria Army Enugu, Major General A.B. Abubakar, also attended.

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