Southeast governors, Ohanaeze talk tough on Igbo security

 

• Ndigbo will not stand by and watch its people slaughtered – Ohanaeze

 

BY OUR EDITOR

Igbo leaders gathering on the platforms of the South East Governor’s Forum and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rose from different meetings on Sunday in Enugu, with a firm resolve to protect the Igbo homeland in the face of worsening insecurity in Nigeria.

Taking a cue from the South West regional security network, Amotekun, the South East Governors Forum at the end of its meeting directed states’ houses of assembly in the geopolitical zone to enact a law to back a South East regional security outfit that would be launched soon.

The chairman of the forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, who read a communique at the end of the meeting, said the governors had written the Federal Government, informing it of the development.

Umahi said, “The forum received our South East Joint Security Committee and noted as follows; that the South-East Governors Forum had formed their South East Joint Security on July 28, 2019, and inaugurated her committee on joint security on August 31, 2019.

“Forum took briefing from the chairman of the Joint security committee and are satisfied with all the arrangement that will lead to South East State Houses of Assembly to enact a law to back the South East security programme with a name to the outfit.

“The forum had written the Federal Government in this respect and at an appropriate time, we shall be inviting the Federal Government to note the details of our Joint Security Programme.”

The governors assured Ndigbo that their security would be well protected.

READ: ‘Be ready to defend yourselves,’ Ohanaeze tells Igbos in the North

The meeting was attended by governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu; David Umahi, Ebonyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia. Anambra State was represented by the deputy governor, Nkem Okeke, while the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, was neither in attendance nor represented.

Briefing journalists after the meeting of its highest decision-making body, Ime-Obi, held at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, Ohanaeze warned that Ndigbo should not be taken for granted.

The President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who read the resolution of the Ime-Obi, said it would no longer watch while its people were slaughtered.

The communique read in part, “Ohanaeze hereby states categorically that Ndigbo will not stand by and watch its people slaughtered. Ohanaeze will defend every soul in Igbo land.

“Ohanaeze hereby nominates, activates and directs the council of elders made up of reputable Igbo personalities and leaders to engage Ohanaeze and state governors immediately on prevailing security challenges.

“Finally, Ohanaeze reminds Ndigbo that there had been difficulties in security in our history in Nigeria. In all these, our determination to protect our home lands and families against aggressors had never wavered and we have always relied on our ingenuity and vigilance to ensure our survival. Let nobody take us for granted.”

Those in attendance included Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma, Mr Peter Obi, Chief Achike Udenwa, Prof. Mrs. Uche Azikiwe, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Hon Tobi Okechukwu, and Dr Walter Ofonagoro.