The South-east Governors Forum on Friday announced the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, in all the five states of the zone, has been outlawed.
The chairman of the forum Gov. David Umahi announced this after a meeting of the governors with the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, and Igbo leading group Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
They also appealed to President Muhammad Buhari to withdraw soldiers from the zone while the police carry out their constitutional duty of securing lives and properties.
Umahi said the five governors are to ensure compliance with the directive in their respective states.
The meeting came amidst rising security threat level in the region following the army Operation Python Dance which clashed with supporters of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu during the week.
In the six-point communique read while addressing journalists, Umahi said, “In view of the prevailing security situation in the South-East and its attendant consequences, the South-East Governors hereby resolved that:
“All the activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are advised to articulate their position on National issues and submit to the committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-East zone through the Chairman of South-East Governors Forum,” the communique stated.
“The South-east Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.”
President Buhari, on return from his medical trip abroad, had insisted the unity oh Nigeria is not negotiable, in response to the aggravated agitation of IPOB seeking secession.
The governors also said,“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.”
The meeting also reiterated their earlier position that the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra 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 Muhammad’s Buhari GCFR to please, withdraw the military in the South-east zone, while police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order,” he added.
Umahi said the South-east governors have taken concrete steps to protect the lives and property of non-indigenes in the region.
He said that the governors were in touch with the Northern Governors Forum and that the latter assured them of the safety of all Igbos living in the north. He said the Igbo governors plan to exchange visits with their northern counterparts.
“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 in the South-east zone within this period. The governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action be taken against anyone found culpable,” he said.
Apart from the forum members, also in attendance were the Ohanaeze leadership led by Chigozie Ogbu, former deputy governor of Ebonyi State, who represented John Nwodo, the President General of Ohanaeze.
The National Assembly members led by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and the GOC 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Adamu Abubakar, were also in attendance.