By Uche Amunike
South East leaders and stakeholders held a meeting in Enugu on Tuesday, where they unanimously declared that they would do everything possible to put an end to the sit-at-home order imposed on the zone by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, (IPOB) being observed in the South Eastern zone.
This decision was informed by the fact that even though the secessionist group has officially said that it has cancelled the every Monday sit at home, the Southeast region still remains under lockdown on Mondays while some unknown people enforce what the IPOB has already described as non-existing.
They therefore decided that the zone will not tolerate any such order, anymore.
At the meeting, which was convened by the Governor of Ebonyi state, Dave Umahi, they observed a minute’s silence for all South Easterners who have lost their lives to the security challenges in the country.
At the end of the meeting which was attended by political, religious and traditional rulers, they issued the communique below:
1. The Governors and leaders of the South East condemned the killings in the region and have agreed to join hands with security agencies to stop the killings.
2. The meeting condemned the sit-at-home orders, which are mostly issued by our people in diaspora who do not feel the pains, the meeting resolved that Governors and all people of
the South East do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further sit-at-home in the South East and that people are allowed to freely move about in the zone.
3. The meeting agreed that the South East Ebubeagu security outfit be launched in all the South East States and laws passed in various South East States before the end of 2021.
4. The meeting received the Committee report from Ohaneze on various matters affecting the South East, especially on the issue of security and marginalization of the South East people, and resolved to study the reports from Ohaneze Worldwide for immediate implementation, and engagement with the Federal Government for amicable settlement of all issues agitating the minds of our people, especially the youths.
5. The meeting agreed to support security agencies to restore peace in the South East.
6. The meeting resolved to support election in Anambra State and directed security agencies to ensure a peaceful election in Anambra State come November 6, 2021.
7. The meeting commended all groups and the clergy for their efforts at interfacing with our youths.
8. The meeting mandated our clergy men, Bishops, CAN, Ohaneze and Traditional Rulers to continue to dialogue with our youths.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, (Host), Imo state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Abia state Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, members of the National Assembly from the South-East geo-political zone, former Chief of Staff, Gen Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), former Governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo, religious and traditional heads, etc
The Communique was read by the Chairman of South-East Forum, David Umahi, Ebonyi state Governor.
