By Charles Igbo and Uche Mbah
Some Nigerians in Diaspora who neither care for the progress of the South-east, nor feel the pain of the people, have been blamed for the persistent sit-at-home order in the Zone which holds every Monday.
This was one of the highlights of the Communiqué issued at the end of a one day meeting of Governors of the South-east held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at the Government House, Enugu.
The meeting was attended by all the Governors of the Zone except Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, who was neither present nor sent a representative. No reason was given. Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, however, sent his deputy to represent him.
Present at the meeting, also, were serving and retired Security Chiefs, including former Chief of Army Staff under the Goodluck Jonathan Government, Lt General Azubuike Ihejirika, NASS Members, the Leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo and Religious Leaders.
Condemning the every Monday sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, which it had initially declared to pressurise the Federal Government to release its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention, the Leaders said it had brought untold hardship and violence and death to the Zone, and resolved to do everything to stop it.
The official spokesman of IPOB, Emmanuel Powerful, had announced on more than one occasion that the IPOB leadership had suspended the weekly sit-at-home order, and restricted it to the days Kanu would appear in Court, but that has not worked. Always, there is a counter order from some other quarters, and people who dare out on Mondays have been visited with harassment, destruction of their businesses, torching of their vehicles, and even deaths. Most people are, therefore, forced to stay at home.
Said the Communique on that: “The meeting condemned the sit-at-home orders, which are mostly issued by our people in the Diaspora who do not feel the pains. The meeting resolved that Governors and all people of the South-east do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further sit-at-home in the South-east and that people are allowed to move about in the zone.”
They also resolved that the South-east Security outfit, Ebubeagu, be launched in all the South-east States and laws passed by the various Houses of Assembly to back it up.
As for the November 6 Governorship election in Anambra State which is under threat because of security issues, the meeting said it would support it, and asked Security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.
However, the meeting was silent on the detention and fate of Nnamdi Kanu.
A couple of days before the meeting, Chief Olisa Metu, former National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, had in a statement, urged the Leaders to use the occasion of the meeting to ask for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
In an earlier meeting in Abuja a couple of weeks ago, the Caucus of the South-east National Assembly members, had resolved to approach, and take up the Nnamdi Kanu issue with the Nigerian Authorities.
Said Metu:
“As Governors and leaders of the South-east zone converge in Enugu to find solutions to the security challenges in the zone, one sure step towards achieving answers is for our leaders to use the opportunity to demand the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
“It is a considered submission that the release of Nnamdi Kanu will not only douse tension in the region but also put an end to allegations and counter-allegations regarding those behind the escalated insecurity in the zone and give our security agencies a clearer cue to track down the perpetrators.
“This call is coming on the backdrop of denials by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of involvement in the recent killings, arson, and other acts of violence in the southeast; and particularly in the face of allegations that the attacks were being sponsored by external, political and criminal interests.
“The authorities should therefore use the release of Nnamdi Kanu to eliminate the current puzzlement and complications as well as a political solution for situations that constitute unrest in the SouthEast.
“It is therefore imperative for our governors and leaders to use this meeting to impress it on the Federal Government to adopt a political approach by releasing Nnamdi Kanu.
“It must be reiterated that Nnamdi Kanu is an Igbo man and our son. He has not stolen nor has he killed anyone and hence we must stand for him as our son.
“In the same vein, the youths in South East are enjoined not to allow themselves to be used by criminal and political elements to destroy the region for their selfish interests.
“At this point, we must all be vigilant, circumspect in our utterances, and place our hands on the deck for solutions.”
Following is the full text of the Communique.
COMMUNIQUE ARISING FROM THE MEETING OF SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS,
SOUTH EAST LEADERS, TRADITIONAL RULERS, NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LEADERS, AND THE CLERGY HELD ON TUESDAY, 5TH OCTOBER, 2021 AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, LION BUILDING, GOVERNMENT HOUSE, ENUGU
“1. The Governors and leaders of the South East condemned the killings in the region and have agreed to join hands with security agencies to stop the killings;
“2. The meeting condemned the sit-at-home orders, which are mostly issued by our people in the diaspora who do not feel the
pains, the meeting resolved that Governors and all people of the South East do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further sit-at-home in the South East and that people are allowed to freely move about in the Zone;
“3. The meeting agreed that the South East Ebubeagu security outfit be launched in all the South East States and laws passed in the various South East States before the end of 2021;
“4. The meeting received the Committee report from Ohaneze on various matters affecting the South East, especially on the issue of security and marginalization of the South East people, and resolved to study the reports from Ohaneze
Worldwide for immediate implementation, and engagement with the Federal Government for amicable settlement of all issues agitating the minds of our people, especially the youths;
“5. The meeting agreed to support security agencies to restore peace in the South East;
“6. The meeting resolved to support election in Anambra State and directed security agencies to ensure a peaceful election in Anambra State come November 6th,2021.
“7. The meeting commended all groups and the clergy for their efforts at interfacing with our youths.
“8. The meeting mandated our clergymen, Bishops, CAN, Ohaneze, and Traditional Rulers to continue to dialogue with our youths.”
