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Tag: Southeast governors

  • PISE-P launch: Deputy Speaker not on war path with Southeast governors, Ohaneze

    PISE-P launch: Deputy Speaker not on war path with Southeast governors, Ohaneze

    House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has denied reports that he was on a war oath with Southeast governors and Ohaneze Ndi Igbo over the control of the region’s political space.

    A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, described the reports as unfortunate, stressing that they showed a lack of patriotism and absence of support for the pursuit of peace in the region.

    It reads: “Ordinarily, the Office of the Deputy Speaker would not have batted an eyelid over such claptrap of a publication that lacks simple journalistic ethos of attribution to a story. But because we owe the unsuspecting members of the public the huge responsibility of protecting them, this rebuttal, then, becomes very necessary.

    “To set the record straight, Kalu is not looking for a fiefdom to exert his control over. For those who know him, he is only passionate about the peace, unity, growth and development of his native region.

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    “As a true son of Igbo land, Kalu is very much concerned and greatly distressed by the security challenges that had bedevilled the Southeast for a while now.

    “What is expected of any son of the soil and the occupant of an office such as his is to galvanise the people and deploy the influence of his office to finding the panacea for the travails of the zone. And this is precisely what Kalu has done and still doing with Peace In the Southeast Project (PISE-P).

    “Needless to say that the launch of the novel, noble, and bold idea altruistically initiated by Kalu, was a huge success.”

    “Before the event, Kalu toured every nook and cranny of the country, including his Southeast, selling PISE-P to everyone.

    “So, for an event that was eventually attended by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima; the Senate President, ably represented by his deputy, Senator Jubrin Barau; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajideen Abbas; the governors of the five eastern states, including the Chairman of (the region’s) governors’ forum, Senator Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe; Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Babatunde Ogunwusi, who represented the traditional rulers from the South; the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Ado Bayero, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Mohammed Sa’adu Abubakar III; the President-General of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, amid an array of stellar personalities from different political, cultural, business and religiously backgrounds, it then defies every logical reasoning to say the talk for peace did not get the desired attention.

    “It will be mischievous on the part of the newspaper and the author of the story to feign ignorance of the fact that Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, and the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo President-General, Chief Iwuanyanwu, who are prominent sons of Igbo land, made a declaration and took turns to eulogise Kalu for the initiative…”

  • Southeast governors on Python Dance III: be professional

    SOUTHEAST governors yesterday called on the military to caution troops to be more professional in the discharge of their duties.

    They warned the military to remain apolitical, stressing that any attempt to yield to the temptation of being used to manipulate  general elections would be resisted.

    According to the Governors Forum, the forthcoming elections will go a long way in shaping Nigeria’s future as one indivisible entity.

    The military has launched  Operation Python Dance III in the zone to assure residents of their safety in the face of heightened tension ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Forum Chairman and Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi spoke for his colleagues when the General officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Abubarka Maikobi, visited him at the Government House in Abakaliki.

    The governor acknowledged the fact that the Southeast had been greatly troubled by the military presence, especially because of the recent clash between the army and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

    He called on troops deployed in the region to remain neutral and maintain high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties for as long as the operation will last.

    Umahi challenged them to come up with workable policies that would earn them the confidence of the people of the zone in the cause of their duties, adding that the army and other security agencies must remain neutral in the coming general election in the state and, by extension, the Southeast.

    The governor said the zone will not have any problem with the place the army may deem fit to establish their operational headquarters as long as they keep to the ethics of their profession of protecting the people instead of being seen or accused of killing them.

    He said his state and the Southeast would resist any attempt to rig the general election, using security agencies as tools, adding that the only way Nigeria would exist beyond 2019 was for credible elections to hold where all security agencies  are seen to be neutral.

    Gen. Maikobi said he was in the state to familiarise with the governments and people of the Southeast and also inform him about the army’s plan to begin Operation Egwu Eke III.

    The GOC said: “I am also here to inform you that I have been mandated by the Chief of Army Staff to formally inform you as the Chief Security Officer of the state that exercise Egwu Eke III was flagged off in Maiduguiri, Borno State. The exercise is scheduled to take place from January 1 to 28 February, 2019. We have selected Ebonyi under your purposeful leadership as the location for the step-up headquarters for the exercise.”

    Gen. Maikobi assured that troops would be neutral, saying: “I assure you and the good people of Ebonyi State that the Nigeria Army will remain neutral, professional and totally apolitical. Nigerian army will not compromise its constitutional roles under any guise.”

  • Southeast governors reject police report

    Southeast Governors Forum has rejected yesterday’s police report that the security incident at the residence of the Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu was a burglary and not an assassination attempt.

    The governors expressed their view through the forum’s Director General, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya, who addressed a news conference in Enugu yesterday.

    The forum called on the police and other security agencies to undertake thorough investigation and bring the culprits to book.

    “We reject the hasty conclusion that the attack was a case of burglary, otherwise, the so-called “burglars’’ would not have insisted on the Deputy President’s son taking them to his father’s bedroom. The careful and methodical execution of the plot points to something more sinister than burglary.”

    The forum, while condemning “the attempted assassination on Ekweremadu”, said the matter, “no doubt, casts a dark shadow on the state of security of lives and property in Nigeria”.

    Read also: Ekweremadu threatens to release video clip of ‘assassination attempt’

    “Apart from being a worthy son of Igboland, the Deputy Senate President has distinguished himself as a true Nigerian and a global citizen, having held the position of Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament for more than four years,” the forum stressed.

    The governors also touched on the neglect of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and the abandoned Second Niger Bridge, urging the Federal Government to fix them.

  • ‘Southeast governors, Ohanaeze are cowards’

    The leadership of Biafra Zionists Federation (BZF) has criticised Southeast governors and Ohanaeze Ndigbo for their silence eight days after the group’s leader, Benjamin Onwuka, was arrested.

    Onwuka was last seen after the Zionists made a failed move to besiege Enugu State Government House.

    His whereabouts remain unknown although those arrested with him have been released.

    A statement by the group’s Deputy Leader, Ambrose Ugwu, regretted that “an Igbo man could be kept incommunicado for such time without a word from the governors and the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.”

    He said: “What is happening presently justifies our demand for Biafra, which will never be compromised. Imagine holding someone for eight days without water, food, and visitation? That is why we have no doubt that he is dead.

    “But this can only happen in Igbo land where we have cowards and lily-livered politicians as governors and leaders of Ohanaeze.

    “We have never carried arms; neither have we ever threatened violence against any one, yet we are facing inhuman treatment from security forces, with the backing of weak political leaders we have in this part of the world.

    “This is the same way leader of the Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) Ralph Uwazuruike, was harassed out of the struggle; same fate befell Nnamdi Kanu; now, the last man standing, Onwuka, is being treated in the most cruel manner.

    “We assure the governors and Ohanaeze that no matter how long it takes, a time will come for them to answer for this betrayal of the common cause of Ndigbo simply because of the crumbs they are picking from Abuja as well as the fear of EFCC.

    “We call on the United States of America and her allies, the Amnesty International (AI), and other international organizations, to speak out against this injustice against the helpless people of Biafra whose sin is a demand for freedom in a non-violent way.”

     

  • Two Southeast governors to join APC, says Okorocha

    The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha yesterday disclosed that two serving governor’s from the Southeast will be formally joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Okorocha who did not disclose the identity of the governors, stated that there is an agreement among the Southeast governors to move in one direction.

    According to him, “the insinuation that Southeast governors from other political parties will work for President Muhammadu Buhari for President and work for their candidates in the governorship election is not acceptable, you are either a member of the APC or not”.

    “You will agree with me that Ndigbo played a dangerous politics in 2015 but we must correct that in 2019.”

  • Southeast governors to build ring road to connect South East states

    South East Governors have undertaken to construct a ring road that will cover a total area of four hundred and thirty kilometers.

    Addressing journalists at the end  of  one day meeting of the Governors in Enugu, chairman of the forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, said the ring road would connect all the states of the South East with a view to promoting economic development of the south easts states and for  ease of transportation system in the region.

    Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, his counterpart in Ebonyi and Abia States, Dave Umahi and Okezie Ikpeazu were present at the meeting while Imo State Governor, Rocha’s Okorocha was represented by his deputy Prince Eze Madumere.

    Umahia further hinted that they took presentation for gas Pipelines in the South East and advised the consultants to follow up details of implementation especially as it relates to right of way.

    The Ebonyi State governor further told newsmen that the meeting which lasted for several hours commended presentation on Aba Independent Power Project by Prof. Bart Nnaji and asked him to liaise with the Secretariat for further implementation with the presidency.

    According to him, the forum directed the five South East States Chairmen of traditional Rulers Council to be invited for amicable resolution of their crisis in their next meeting .

    On the burial of the former Vice President of the country, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Umahi said they expressed deep appreciation to the governors and people of the South East for the able way they worked together to give the icon a befitting burial.

    “ the south East Governors Forum at its meeting discussed extensively on possible strategies to economic development of the south East  and at the end of the meeting resolved as follows

    “: to undertake the construction of ring road covering a total area of 430kms, that would connect all the states of the south east , to promote economic development of the south east States and for ease of transportation system in the region” he said.

     

     

  • Southeast governors mourn

    Southeast governors mourn

    The Southeast Governors’ Forum has mourned former Vice-President Alex Ekwueme.

    It described the death as a great loss to the Igbo nation and the country.

    The forum Chairman, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, described the incident as the end of an era.

    Umahi, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Uzor, described Ekwueme’s death as a great loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria.

    He commiserated with the Anambra State government and Ekwueme family of Oko on the loss and prayed God to grant him eternal rest.

    Umahi said: “The death of our father and leader, Dr. Ekwueme, is so devastating, especially now that his fatherly advice is needed.  He was a great Nigerian and a great believer in the unity of the country. As his children, we have learnt a lot from his deep political sagacity.

    “As the Vice-President of Nigeria, Ekwueme was a great rallying factor of Igbo socio-political integration.  He was a voice of reason and a man who toiled to place Ndigbo at the centre of mainstream politics. Indeed, we have lost a rare gem, a gentleman and a decent politician and academia.”

    The governor said the Southeast, through the governors, would draw up a programme on how to pay their last respect to the fallen political tree.

    He commiserated with his family and Anambra State government.

  • Kanu shuns meeting with Southeast governors

    Kanu shuns meeting with Southeast governors

    Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu will not be meeting with Southeast governors in Enugu tomorrow, he said yesterday.

    The meeting would have been a follow up to the one he attended earlier with Prof. Ben Nwabueze in arrrendance.

    The separatist leader alleged that he might be killed on his way to Enugu for the meeting.

    In a statement, Kanu said:  “Before now, prominent leaders and groups had insisted that I tow the line of peaceful dialogue and meet with the governors to find a lasting solution to our grievances. I conceded to that request which led to the 30th of August 2017 meeting with the South-East Governors Forum at the Government House in Enugu, in the company of the very eminent Prof. Ben Nwabueze and Evangelist Elliott Ugochukwu-Ukoh”.

  • Kanu: Southeast governors worried over shooting

    Kanu: Southeast governors worried over shooting

    Governors of the Southeast states yesterday expressed worry over Sunday’s shooting near the residence of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu in Umuahia.

    The governors expressed regret that the incident came at a time they were making concerted efforts to broker peace between federal authorities and the Biafra agitators.

    Director of Information of the Southeast Governors’ Forum Secretariat, Mike Udah, said the incident had punctured the peace moves initiated by the governors.

    “The Southeast governors are worried that the relationship between the leadership of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the government is degenerating into this kind of ugly situation.

    “They did not want this kind of situation to occur and that was why they invited the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, with Prof. Ben Nwabueze to their meeting in Enugu. So, they are working to ensure that such situation does not reoccur.

    “The Southeast governors do not want a situation where the South East would be seen as working against the Federal Government. They don’t want a situation where there would be a breakdown of law and order. They don’t want a situation where it will appear that there is a strained relationship between the people of Southeast and the Federal Government.

    “The Southeast governors want peace and amicable resolution of whatever is the problem between the two parties. That was why they invited the IPOB leader, Kanu and Prof. Ben Nwabueze the other time to their meeting in Enugu.”

    The governors, however, appealed to the Federal Government to handle the situation in a mature way. They disclosed that they would continue to do their best possible to ensure that the situation does not worsen.

    “They will continue to meet with other pro-Biafra and Igbo groups with a view to ensuring that there is peace in the land. Southeast governors are worried that the ugly situation that took place in Abia State could re-occur,” he added.

    Also yesterday, the Ohaneze Ndigbo condemned the alleged violent altercation.

    In a statement by Publicity Secretary Uche Achi-Okpaga, the group said: “It is a pity that the tenets of democracy are being bruised and battered with reckless impunity in Nigeria.”

    The group also condemned the “operation Python Dance II” announced by the army describing it as a deliberate ploy to gag the Southeast like a conquered territory.

    According to the statement, the recent actions of the Federal Government have cleared all doubts about the disposition and countenance of the APC-led federal Government towards the Igbo.

    “The recent NNPC appointments strongly testify to our vindications and these consequential events dramatise them beyond doubt.

    “Today,Boko Haram is still killing and herdsmen are pulverising villages but it is in the Southeast that is even peaceful that soldiers are deployed at close and strategic points.

    “I think we have overflogged these issues because this is a government that, among other, has been treating ear problem and is not disposed to hear your complaints. We just have a choreographic democracy. May God hear and fight our cause”, he added.

  • What I told Southeast governors at our meeting, by Kanu

    •IPOB leader meets ADF in Owerri

    Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has said his discussion with Southeast governors in Enugu centred on the need to get his organisation’s demands to the Federal Government.

    He said he believed his message would reach appropriate authority on Biafran agitation.

    Addressing reporters in Umuahia, Abia State capital, on his return from Owerri, Imo State capital, after a meeting with Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Kanu pledged not to compromise his stance on the independence of Biafra.

    The IPOB leader said the independence of Biafra and its people was not negotiable, adding that anything to the contrary would amount to betraying the trust his people and others had for IPOB leadership about their future.

    He said: “I laid before the governors of Southeast what we want from the Federal Government. That is, the restoration of the Republic of Biafra. Nothing else; we are not going to achieve it through violence.

    “Nothing has changed; our position is still the same. What we want is a referendum on Biafra. We have told them what we want and we cannot compromise that position. So, let them convey same to the Federal Government. No more, no less.”

    Kanu noted that though he had respect for elders, but “no amount of pressure or persuasion would make me drop the agitation for Biafra because that is what I was born to achieve”.

    He advised Biafrans all over the world to remain resolute, determined and focused on the struggle.

    The IPOB leader expressed the confidence that Biafra would soon be realised.