Southeast Governors have warned Igbos especially business owners to be cautious of the proscribed group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), adding that they are trying to instigate another civil war.
This follows the alleged massacre committed by members of IPOB, under the guise of #EndSARS protests.
Chairman of the Forum, Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, gave the warning after a crucial meeting of the Southeast Governors’ Forum with their Rivers State counterpart, Governor Nyesom Wike, on Sunday, November 8, at Port Harcourt Government House, Port Harcourt.
According to Umahi, the purpose of coming to Rivers State was to ascertain the truthfulness of the reports making round the social media over the alleged killing of Igbo people in Oyigbo, Rivers State.
He stated that after listening to Wike’s narration of the barbaric activities of IPOB in Oyigbo, which led to the imposition of curfew in the entire Local Government, Umahi stated that it is imperative for Igbos to distance themselves from IPOB.
The Governor said it is sickening that IPOB could go to Benue State and Rivers State, to hoist its flag and also claim that the territories belong to the Igbo people.
Umahi, therefore, holds that the Igbo leadership is opposed to the stance by IPOB, stating that they found out that the claims that Igbos were killed in Rivers, were false.
Umahi urged Igbos living in the state to respect the government and the people of Rivers, in order to continue to live and do their businesses, peacefully.
Meanwhile, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, said that the meeting reinforced the existing affinity between Igbos and the people of Niger Delta.
He described Wike as a champion for restructuring of Nigeria and a man who loved justice.
“Tell your people, Rivers people will continue to live together with Igbos. Don’t allow your sons to tell you lies. Igbos are innovative and hardworking. There can’t be Nigeria without Igbos. Nobody should take them for granted. But that doesn’t mean you must allow criminals to spoil your name.
“If I hate Igbos, I won’t appoint your son into my state cabinet two times. But you have to obey rules. Don’t allow criminals to dictate to you,” Governor Wike said.
Present at the meeting were Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and other dignitaries.
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