Why We Banned IPOB _ South-East Governors
The South-East Governors Forum, at a meeting in Enugu on Friday, proscribed the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra in the five states of the region.
The meeting was attended by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), and Willie Obiano (Anambra).
Imo State was represented by Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere.
The meeting, which lasted several hours, also had the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; and the General Officer Commanding, 82 Division, Enugu, Gen. Adamu Abubakar, in attendance.
Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Umahi, who addressed journalists after the meeting, which held at Enugu State Government House, explained that the leadership of IPOB “sent their apologies” for their absence at the parley.
IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who was to be part of the meeting, backed out on Wednesday, claiming that there was a plot to assassinate him on his way to Enugu.
Umahi said the meeting deliberated on the security situation in the South-East.
All the governors are to enforce the proscription of the activities of the IPOB in their respective states.
The governors, in the same vein, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw soldiers from the zone.
Reading a communiqué after the meeting, Umahi said, “All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. 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 South-East Zone, through the Chairman, South-East Governors Forum.
Umahi added that the South-East governors are in touch with their counterparts in the North, who they said have also given them assurance of the security of Igbo in the North.
The governors added that allegations of killing and maiming in the zone are being investigated.
The governors urged residents of the South-East “to go about their normal businesses as government of each state is committed to protecting everybody”
