The South-East Governors’ Forum on Friday proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The decision was taken at an emergency meeting held at the Enugu Government House.
The meeting was attended by Governors Dave Umahi of Ebonyi; Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu; Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia; Willie Obiano of Anambra and the Deputy Governor of Imo State.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, were also in attendance. Umahi, who read the communique after the meeting, said:
“All activities of IPOB are hereby proscribed. IPOB and all other aggrieved groups are to articulate their positions on all National issues and submit to the committee of Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from South East Zone through the chairman of South East Governors Forum.
”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 the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, 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 non-violent 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 reinforce 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”.
The governors restated their commitment towards protecting all and sundry and advised people to go about their businesses and be law abiding.
