August 26, (THEWILL) – The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed disappointment over the recent inaction of Southeast Governors towards the security of the region.
Ohanaeze, in a statement by its Secretary General, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, said their failure to engage effectively with President Bola Tinubu over the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), “stands as a glaring oversight amid the disarray that has gripped the Southeast”.
Okechukwu, who condemned the silence of the Governors on the proposed lockdown by Ekpa Simon in the Southeast, called on the people of the region to resist any intimidation from criminal elements.
The statement reads: “The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, expresses profound disappointment in the recent inaction of Southeast Governors regarding the escalating security crisis in our region. Their failure to engage effectively with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), stands as a glaring oversight amid the disarray that has gripped the Southeast.
“The lackadaisical approach exhibited by these governing figures has inadvertently created a vacuum, allowing insignificant actors like Simon Ekpa—currently operating from Finland—to manipulate public sentiment and threaten economic activities with his dubious declarations of lockdown. Such antics serve only to further mock and ridicule a region steeped in rich history and remarkable leaders, including the illustrious Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Michael Okpara, Dr Francis Akanu-Ibiam, Dr Jaja Wachuku, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Dimm Odumegwu Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, Chief C C Onoh, and Chief Sam Mbakwe.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo asserts that it is incumbent upon the Southeast Governors to unequivocally assert their authority as the chief security officers of the region. We call upon them to utilise innovative, homegrown mechanisms to tackle these unprecedented challenges rather than perpetuate reliance on ineffective conventional methods. It is imperative that these leaders leverage their relationships, notably with critical figures like the Attorney General of the Federation, to pursue a constructive dialogue for Kanu’s release.
“Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, condemns the current state of apathy, noting that the prolonged inaction following their commitments to engage with President Tinubu has emboldened non-state actors and their nefarious agendas. The people of the Southeast continue to bear the brunt of this instability, and we firmly hold the Governors accountable for their constitutional duty to safeguard the lives and properties of Ndigbo.
“We urge all Ndigbo to disregard the irrelevant and inconsequential lockdown imposed by Simon Ekpa and to resist any intimidation from criminal elements wishing to disrupt the region’s peace. As schools prepare to reopen amid ongoing economic challenges, it is essential that we remain resolute against external threats to our stability.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo reiterates its commitment to advocating for genuine solutions to our security crisis, urging Southeast Governors to step up as leaders. The time for action is now; we implore our leaders to reclaim control of the Southeast and protect our people from the trepidations that loom.”
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
