South-east governors kick against secession, say ‘Igbo committed to one Nigeria’

The south-east governors’ forum has condemned the activities of “violent secessionist groups” in the region and other parts of the country.

There have been a series of attacks on government buildings in the south-east, leading to the killing of several security operatives.

While the police and army have accused the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of masterminding attacks, the group has repeatedly denied being involved.

In a communique released on Saturday after a meeting in Enugu, the forum proclaimed its commitment to a united Nigeria, and said the impression that south-east leaders are silent about the agitations for secession is incorrect.

The governors also urged lawmakers from the south-east in the national assembly to support the creation of state police.

“We, the Igbo, do reaffirm our commitment to one united Nigeria under a platform of justice, equality of rights, fairness, love and respect for one another,” the communique reads.

“We have noted threats by some groups against our people of south-east. While we firmly promise to protect everyone either from other regions or ours, we plead with the leaders of other regions to protect our people living in their regions.

“We condemn the killing of security agencies, burning of strategic infrastructure, and killing of civilians in south-east and other regions. We request our security agencies to please discharge their duties within the rules of engagement and the law.

“We request our national assembly from the south-east to support state police creation in the ongoing constitutional amendment.

“We condemn in totality, the activities of violent secessionist groups in south-east and elsewhere. We firmly proclaim that we do not support them, they do not speak for south-east. The impression that south-east leaders are silent over some of our youths agitators for secession is not correct.

“South-east governors, Ohaneze president, national assembly members, notable leaders had come out publicly many times in the past to speak against such agitations. In order not to mismanage the unfortunate situation, south-east leaders have set up a committee to engage such youths to stop and allow elders speak to address such fears.”

According to the statement, the governors and Ohaneze Ndigbo have been directed to liaise with indigenes from the north and other regions to assure them of their safety in south-east.

“The meeting endorsed our south-east joint security outfit, Ebube Agu, and asked them to work with security agencies and to respect the rights and privileges of all those living in south-east and our visitors,” the governors added.