Moments after the Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Defence proscribed the Independent People of Biafra and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, all the Governors of the states in the South East of Nigeria have unanimously come to the decision to toe the same line.
The decision was reached after a very intense meeting of the South East Governors’ Forum held on Friday at the Exco Chambers of the Government House in Enugu.
Read the full text of the Communique released after the meeting:
In view of the prevailing security situation in the South East and its attendant consequences, the South East Governors hereby resolve as follows:
- 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, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members from the South East Zone, through the Chairman, South East Governors Forum.
- All Governors of South East Zone are to ensure compliance in their respective State.
- South East Governors Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
- We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all National issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.
- We reiterate our earlier position that the November 18, 2017 Governorship election in Anambra State must hold.
- Accordingly, we appeal to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to please, withdraw the Military in the South East Zone, while Police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.
- South East Governors have taken concrete steps to protect lives and property of indigenes and non-indigenes in the South East.
- We are in touch with the Northern Governors Forum, they have assured us of the safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned for exchange of visits between the Governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect.
- In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South East Zone within this period. The Governors and the Security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.
- We advise all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as Government of each State is committed to protecting everybody.
- Finally, we advise our people in the South East to please be Law abiding.
Engr. Nweze Dave Umahi, FNSE, FNATE
Governor of Ebonyi State/
Chiarman, South East Governors Forum
