First-Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi says the killing of youths in the South-East persists because the geopolitical zone has a “very weak set of governors”.
He stated this while reacting to the killing of some youths in Emene, Enugu State last Sunday.
A team of security operatives comprising soldiers, air force personnel, the police and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) reportedly killed 10 people during a clampdown on members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Reacting, Amaechi said that the unwarranted killing of Igbo youths must stop and berated the governors for not doing enough to bring a stop to it.
He said, “It is quite sad because these security officials believe that they can kill the Igbo without anybody asking any question.
“And this continues to happen because we have a very weak set of governors in the Southeast.”
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Commenting on the jostle for the 2023 presidency, Amaechi said that the choice of President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor “is crucial to the unity and existence of Nigeria, particularly as the Igbo are concerned”.
The elder statesman noted that the Igbo nation would be compelled to revisit its existence in Nigeria if denied the presidency in 2023.
“If Nigeria accepts to elect an Igbo president of Nigeria, then we will be there to work for Nigeria. We worked for the independence of Nigeria more than any other section of the country, so, we’ll be there to work.
“But if in 2023, they still think that Ndigbo should be treated as slaves or second class citizens of Nigeria, then the Igbo would give a second thought to their being in Nigeria. We’ll give a second thought to it.
“It’s not going to be easy because it’s not going to be violent. We’ve tried it with violence with Biafra, it did not work, but this time new strategies have to be worked out.
“And that is the essence of the Ohanaeze/ IPOB arrangement which was made in my house. We intend to work for 2023. But if in 2023, Nigeria rejects us, then we have to resort to the Igbo saying that Onye ajuru anaghi aju onwe ya ( He that is rejected doesn’t reject himself ).