The factional Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Sunday, said the self-acclaimed prime minister of Biafra, Simon Ekpa, was exploiting the weakness of South-East governors to issue baseless threats.
Isiguzoro was responding to Ekpa’s threat to lock down the South-East region as from August 28 to September 26, 2024.
Recall that Ekpa had threatened a 30-day lockdown of the region over the insecurity in the region and the continued detention of the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
He claimed the decision was agreed upon in a virtual meeting by his Biafra Government in Exile, (BRGIE) cabinet, saying that the lockdown would affect all Nigerian government offices in Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi and Anambra States in the South-East region.
Reacting, Isiguzoro, said the recent meeting between the Southeast governors with former President Olusegun Obasanjo should have paved the way for a collective visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to advocate for Kanu’s release.
Isiguzoro called for an urgent re-assessment of the South-East governors’ strategies in addressing challenges confronting the region.
Isiguzoro asserted that Ohanaeze is steadfast in its commitment to finding genuine pathways to resolve the spiralling insecurity in the South-East. According to him, “The absence of action in seeking Kanu’s release not only endangers our communities but also allows criminals masquerading as Biafran agitators to proliferate under the guise of activism. We hold the governors accountable for their constitutional duties to protect the lives and properties of the Igbo people”.
Isiguzoro also called for vigilance as primary and secondary schools prepare for reopening.
“It is crucial that our communities remain vigilant and resilient against these threats. Ohanaeze Ndigbo remains resolute in denouncing the illegitimate lockdown and will continue advocating for the protection and welfare of the Igbo people,” he added.
