A coalition of South-East groups has advised the governors of the zone not to lose sleep over threats by IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu over the Eastern Security Network (ESN).
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader had accused the governors of plotting to incite the army and other security agencies against the outfit.
Nnamdi Kanu had warned the governors of dire consequences of taking such a line of action, while warning vigilante groups set up by the governors to countermand the ESN not to allow themselves to be used to compromise South-East security.
In a reaction to Nnamdi Kanu’s threat, the Coalition of Igbo Groups Worldwide urged the South-East governors to go all out against Kanu and IPOB’s atrocities in the zone, saying they contravened the laws of the land.
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The coalition in a Wednesday statement said, “We wish to strongly condemn Nnamdi Kalu’s threat to the southeast governors and local vigilantes following the governors’ opposition to his illegal activities in the region among which is his formation of a militia group to disturb the peace of our region.
“We call on our governors who are elected by the people to represent them not to be intimidated by Kanu’s threat. They should go all out against him by exposing him for what he is, for the betterment, peace, and unity of Igbo land. The southeast governors should not relent in enforcing law and order in their various states for the good of their people.”
The coalition added, “It is not in the place of Kanu and IPOB to institute laws for the people of the South East but the functions of governors of the region who were elected constitutionally by their people to act in that regard. So, we throw our weights behind the southeast governors and all well-meaning citizens of South East who are standing for national unity.
“Kanu and his team do not mean well for Ndigbo. From all indications, it can be glaringly seen that his actions are for his personal benefits and not for the generality of Ndigbo as he tries desperately to portray.
“Let us also humbly state that the Igbos have practically demonstrated that they believe in one Nigeria than any tribe because they can be found in almost every part of this nation in large numbers with investments worth billions of Naira adding value to their host communities.”
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The statement added, “Nnamdi Kanu cannot speak or act on our behalf in this nation or anywhere for that matter. Let him come home and present himself to the people for election if he wants to speak for us. That is the only constitutional means of representation in Nigeria where the South East is a part. Anything outside this means is unacceptable to us.
“We reiterate that our governors must remain resolute in their determination to enthrone laws that are beneficial to the citizens of our region.
“We task them to continue to engage the youths on the need to eschew actions that would depict us as working for the destruction of a united and indivisible Nigeria.
“The clarion calls by different sections of the country that our region deserves a chance in the 2023 Presidency should not be taken for granted. For this to be actualised, we must work hard with different parts of the country for it.”