. Umahi warns Igbo to be wary of IPOB
By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said that nobody should take Ndigbo for granted considering their enterprise.
He also assured that the state would continue to be home to people of the Igbo ethnic nationality.
Governor Wike gave assurance on Sunday, when Southeast governors visited him on the recent Oyigbo crisis, whch claimed many lives and the social media report that the Igbo were no longer wanted in Rivers State.
The governor explained to the Southeast governors and leaders that in the wake of the Oyigbo crisis, people peddled the rumour that he was chasing Igbo out of Rivers, stressing that it was not true because the state had an enduring relationship with the Igbo.
His words: “Tell your people, Rivers people will continue to live together with the Igbo. Don’t allow your sons to tell you lies. Ndigbo are innovative and hardworking. There can’t be Nigeria without Igbo. Nobody should take them for granted. But that doesn’t mean you must allow criminals to spoil your name.
“If I hate Igbo, I won’t appoint your son into my state cabinet two times. But you have to obey rules. Don’t allow criminals to dictate to you”.
Besides, after the meeting which held Sunday night, the governors from the Southeast Nigeria warned Ndigbo, especially owners of businesses to beware of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The governors were led to the meeting, which held in Government House, Port Harcourt by the Chairman of the Southeast Governors’ Forum, David Umahi of Ebonyi.
The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nnia Nwodo, led other prominent members of the socio-cultural group to the meeting.
Umahi warned Igbo to be wary of IPOB, saying the outlawed group was trying to instigate another civil war.
Umahi said that after listening to Wike’s narration of the atrocious activities of IPOB in Oyigbo that culminated in the imposition of curfew in the entire local government, it became imperative for the Igbo to distance themselves from IPOB.
The governor said that he found it nauseating that IPOB could go to Benue and Rivers states to hoist its flag and claim the territories belong to the Igbo people.
He said Igbo leadership were opposed to the stance by IPOB.
Former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, lauded the Igbo leaders for the peace initiative and decision to visit Wike.
He stated that every governor desired peace to govern, adding that Wike was not an exception.
He stressed that Rivers residents endorsed every measure taken by Governor Wike to ensure lasting peace in the state.
Present at the meeting were Abia Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu; Anambra State Deputy Governor, Nkem Okeke; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Other dignitaries are: Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; former Governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia; the chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council and Amanayanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja and National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, among others.
