The chairman of the South-East Governors’ forum, Chief David Umahi has said the governors of the zone proscribed the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, to save the lives of over 12 million of Igbos living in the northern Nigeria.
Umahi, who is the governor of Ebonyi State, made this known while addressing stakeholders of the state during the 2017 Ebonyi peace day celebration that took place at Ishielu local government area headquarters of the state.
He noted that the governors of the South-East had no apologies for saving the lives of the igbos.
He said: “The issue of proscribing Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, alot of people were sending test messages to me. Some were commending us whereas others were condemning and abusing us and that is leadership for you.
“Our people must know that the issue of insulting the leaders of the igbos, it is not issue of the sitting President, is not about abusing other tribes.
“The issue of agitation and marginalization should not degenerate into self help and as governors of the south east, We make all efforts to bring peace. We meet as the 5 governors of the south east and proscribed IPOB.
“We did that to save the lives of 12 millions of igbos that are living in the northern Nigeria and other parts of this country. We did that and we have no apologies for saving the lives of not only the igbos but the lives of other ethnic groups within the south east zone.
“We need another state and local government to be like others in the other geopolitical zones. We must use dialogue approach and prayers to get what we need. We cannot allow our place to be a place for kidnappers and armed robbers.
“Our governors are committed to our youths, we have all agreed that our youths who have been mislead by IPOB ideology to be re-absorbed and reintegrated and keep them busy doing something with their hands.
“And to this effect, I ask the ministry of youths empowerment to open up a register for some of our youths who are mislead into this agitation and by my words, we are going to rehabilitate them and reintegrate them into meaningful venture in Ebonyi state”, he said.
The governor further noted that President Buhari had agreed to look into the problems of the South-East.
“Let me hint on this day of peace that we discussed all issues of agitations and would further the discussions with south-east governors.
“We would address all issues of concern with him (Buhari) under an atmosphere of peace as he sends his regarsds to Igbo people,” he added.
Umahi remarked that he was shocked by the president’s humilty as he listended attentively and applied humour which showed he has a good heart.
“In the course of the discussion, he said that it does not matter what people thinks about someone but God who sends one to do justice to all and leave the rest to him”, he added.
