South-east governors direct Ohanaeze to set up committee over ‘unfair treatment’ of Igbo

Governors of the south-east region have given Ohanaeze Ndigbo, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, 10 days to set up a committee to address “unfair treatment” of Igbo people.

The decision was contained in a communique issued at the end of a meeting of the governors on Sunday, in Enugu state.

At the meeting held in the Enugu government house, issues relating to security challenges in the region were discussed.

Also present at the meeting were security operatives, traditional rulers and religious leaders.

Announcing the decision of the governors while addressing journalists, David Umahi, governor of Ebonyi, also noted that the newly established security outfit of the region — Ebube Agu — will work closely with security agencies to restore peace in the affected states.

“South-east governors and leaders re-stated the adoption of a common joint security outfit called ‘Ebube Agu’, with her regional headquarters in Enugu. ‘Ebube Agu’ will work with the police and other security agencies in her operations to protect lives and property in south-east,” the communique reads.

“We agreed on the structure and operational modalities of ‘Ebube Agu’ and to set up an advisory board for the security outfit. The honourable attorney-generals and commissioners for justice of the south-east states have been directed to work with the joint security committee to come up with the amendment of the existing state laws to reflect the new ‘Ebube Agu’ outfit.

“The meeting directed Ohaneze Ndigbo president to immediately form two committees: South-east peace and reconciliation committee to engage our people for the peace and security of our people and her visitors; strategy and welfare committee to engage and protect our people, especially those who are being unfairly treated.

“These committees must become functional within the next 10 days from this date.”

The governors maintained their support for restructuring and state police, adding that “a committee has been set up to work out acceptable modalities and submit them to NEC in its next meeting”.

While condemning the attack on the country home of Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, they urged the federal government to “fish out the perpetrators and ensure their prosecution”.

The governors also insisted on the ban on open grazing in the region, and agreed “on the implementation of various EndSARS youth empowerment programmes as soon as possible”.