We’ll meet FG on Nnamdi Kanu, other issues soon– S’East Govs

*As IPOB cancels sit-at-home order, urges participation in Anambra poll

NKIRU NWAGBO, AWKA

South East Governors, on Thursday, pledged to meet with the Federal Government over the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and other political issues affecting the region.

This is even as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday, made a change of heart by canceling the proposed sit-at-home order billed to commence today, November 5, 2021

The South East governor made the promise to meet with the Federal Government over the IPOB leader and other political issues affecting the region in a statement signed by their Chairman, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, the governor of Ebonyi State.

The governors equally stated that cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers were the one using IPOB’s name to perpetuate evil in the region.

The statement reads: “We are aware of the various illegal orders of sit-at-home by different groups of state agitators for our people of South East to sit at home every Monday and from 5th to 10th November 2021.

“Whereas we have identified some of the spokespersons of some of these groups and we have been engaging them to stop all forms of violence and illegalities in South East and allow South East leaders to address all issues raised by them, we are however working with security agencies, our local security and our leaders to protect the lives of our people and to address all issues raised.

“We thank Ohaneze Ndigbo for a good job they did through their various committees in raising various solutions towards addressing all issues raised by our young children.

South East Governors are studying their reports with the elders and leaders of the various South East States and very soon, we will be meeting with Federal Government of Nigeria on these issues including deploying political solutions in the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu which we have already initiated.

“We thank our religious leaders, Conference of Bishops and Archbishops of South East, the traditional institutions of South East and Christian Association of Nigeria of South East for their interventions and mediations on this matter. We will work with them to achieve the desired result for our people and Nigeria.

“We plead with all security agencies deployed for Anambra election to please secure the lives of our people in Anambra State while playing within the rules of their engagements.

“We are aware that the insecurity in the South East has gone beyond IPOB. Cultists, armed robbers and kidnappers have recruited themselves and are using the name of IPOB to kill innocent citizens. We will not allow this to continue.

“We thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for their determination to hold Anambra election on 6th November, 2021.

We will give them every support and shall help them to ensure a free, fair and violence free election. We therefore ask our people to go out and vote for candidates of their choice as we have been assured of adequate security measures to secure their lives and properties.

“We are confident that through our mediation, that of religious leaders, Ohaneze Ndigbo and traditional rulers, IPOB will see reasons to call off all sit-at-home orders including the recent one of 5th to 10th November, 2021.

We as South East Governors are committed to political solutions over the present situation in South East and this will be achieved faster if all the illegal sit-at-home orders and violence by the various state agitators are stopped in South East.

“We wish Anambra people a peaceful election on 6th November, 2021.”

Meabwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on Thursday, made a change of heart by canceling the proposed sit-at-home order billed to commence today, November 5, 2021.

Recall that the Director of Publicity for the body, Emma Powerful, had earlier announced that the group would commence a sit-at-home strike on November 5 if its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not released unconditionally on November 4.

According to the statement signed by its Director of Publicity, Comrade Emma Powerful, the body said that it had to call off the sit-at-home order following the appeal by the elders in the South East coupled with the grave economic implications of the strike on the people.

The body urged the people of Anambra State to come out and vote on November 6 without any form of intimidation or fears.

The statement read in parts: “Following the genuine intervention of our elders, esteemed traditional Institutions/Rulers and Religious Leaders, and after a due consideration of the positive impacts of their engagement, and sequel to the fact that our elders have spoken in our terms, the Leadership of IPOB ably lead by MAZI NNAMDI Kanu hereby and immediately CALL OFF THE ONE WEEK SIT AT HOME earlier declared to commence tomorrow (today), November 5 to November 10, 2021.

“We have equally considered several appeals by our mothers who earn their living based on their daily economic activities which will obviously be affected if Biafra land is locked down for one whole week. It’s never our intention to add to the pains of our people, hence our decision to suspend the sit-at-home.

“The people of Anambra State should go out enmasse and peacefully exercise their franchise come 6th November 20121 and accordingly, chose a leader of their choice and should not be intimidated by anybody, group of persons or security agents.

“Anambrarians should vote and standby to protect their votes. No rigging of any kind will be tolerated on the Anambra State governorship election. It must be transparent, free and fair to all.

“We wish to thank Biafrans, IPOB members worldwide, friends of Biafra and lovers of freedom for their continued support for our dogged struggle for independence.

“May we therefore, warn detractors, traitors and enemies of Biafra not to cause confusion by imputing motives to our decision.

IPOB doesn’t expect anybody to observe, monitor or enforce the suspended order otherwise such action will be considered a rebellion to the highest leadership of our global movement.

“On the other hand, our oppressors should not take our decision as an act of cowardice. IPOB still believes that our elders, religious leaders, political leaders and various stakeholders will live up to their promises in their engagements and efforts towards securing the unconditional release of our leader.

“We therefore urge all Biafrans and residents of Biafra to go about their lawful businesses without fear of any molestation.

All agents of darkness recruited by our enemies to inflict pains on our people under the guise of enforcing the sit-at-home are hereby warned to steer clear or brace up for the consequences of their evil action”.