South East Governors have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to withdraw the military from the zone, to allow police perform their traditional role of maintaining law and order.
The southeast governors, under the chairmanship of Engr. Nweze Dave Umahi, governor of Ebonyi State, reiterated the proscription of all activities of the IPOB and urged the group and all other aggrieved groups to articulate their position on all national issues and submit to the Committee of Governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly members from the South-East Zone.
A statement from the southeast governors, shortly after their emergency meeting on Saturday in Enugu, said they have taken concrete steps to protect lives and properties of indigenes and non indigenes in the region.
It reads: “We are in touch with the Northern Governors Forum they have assured us of the safety of all our people living in the north and we have also planned to exchange of visits between the Governors and to re-enforce the confidence of Nigerians in this respect.
“In keeping with our earlier position, we wish to assure Nigerians that full investigation is ongoing on all allegations of killings, maiming and other unlawful conduct in the South-East Zone within this period. The Governors and the security agencies are in agreement that appropriate action will be taken against anyone found culpable.
“South-East Governors Forum, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and National Assembly Members do hereby reinforce their commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
“We also reinforce our desire for the restructuring of Nigeria where all national issues will be discussed and amicably settled to achieve justice and fairness to every Nigerian.
“We advice all residents of the South East to go about their normal businesses as Government of each state is committed to protecting everybody”.
